ATRA APPLAUDS MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE FOR PASSING BUSINESS LIABILITY BILL

Washington, DC, November 26, 2002 --

Governor Murgrove expected to sign bill protecting

Mississippi business from frivolous lawsuits

Washington, DC, November 26, 2002—The American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) applauds the Mississippi Legislature for passing a bill that would protect the state’s business community from lawsuit abuse. The Mississippi special session on business liability reform concluded today and Governor Musgrove is expected to sign H.B. No. 19 into law.

“In passing this bill, the legislature is putting its foot down on personal injury lawyers who abuse the civil justice system,” said ATRA President Sherman Joyce. “The personal injury lawyers have exploited the weaknesses of the state system to the point of making the business climate in the state unbearable.”

Among the more significant provisions in the comprehensive bill are reforms to joint liability and meaningful limits on punitive damages. The Mississippi Legislature has, in proposing the caps, followed the holdings of the Supreme Court of the United States in establishing reasonable limits.

“There is a lot of work to be done to help create a fair and balanced civil justice system in Mississippi, and we are pleased the Governor and Legislature are taking steps in the right direction to end lawsuit abuse,” concluded Joyce.

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The American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) is the only national organization dedicated exclusively to tort and liability reform through public education and the enactment of legislation. ATRA's membership includes non profits, small and large companies, as well as state and national trade, business, and professional associations.

© 2007 American Tort Reform Association