NEW ATRA REPORT CHRONICLES TREND IN STATES FOR COMPREHENSIVE CIVIL JUSTICE REFORMS

Washington, DC, July 21, 2005 -- A new report released today by the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) chronicles a trend of state enactment of meaningful, comprehensive civil justice reform legislation. During the past two years, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio and South Carolina have continued the momentum that began in 2003 with significant civil justice reform successes in Texas. Details are available in ATRA’s semi-annual Tort Reform Record, released today.

“While every year there are states that pass meaningful individual reforms, we have seen a trend toward comprehensive civil justice reform legislation,” said ATRA President Sherman Joyce. “After seeing the positive impacts of the 2003 legislation in Texas, several other states have followed suit in passing comprehensive reform measures that will boost their economies, create jobs and prevent doctors and businesses from fleeing to other states.”

Mississippi and Ohio passed comprehensive reform legislation in 2004 with Mississippi’s bill passing during a special session called by Governor Haley Barbour. Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina passed reform legislation in 2005.

“Passage of the legislation in many of these states was the culmination of several years of effort put forth by policymakers, grassroots organizations, and the business community,” Joyce said. “Without the tireless efforts of these groups, these reforms may never have passed in the face of opposition and numerous setbacks.”

Governor Barbour led the way for reform in Mississippi, when he called a special session in 2004 to address tort reform issues. The result was a comprehensive package containing: product liability reform; joint and several liability reform; jury service reform; medical malpractice reform; noneconomic damages reform; venue reform; and punitive damages reform.

Ohio became the second state that same year to pass a comprehensive bill that included: noneconomic damages reform; obesity litigation reform; product liability reform; and punitive damages reform.

Medical malpractice reform issues drove the tort reform movement in South Carolina and Georgia in 2005, with leaders initially mobilizing behind those issues before tackling more comprehensive reform for the business community. While Georgia included medical and economic reforms in one comprehensive bill, South Carolina passed two separate pieces of legislation. Medical malpractice reforms in both states include limits on noneconomic damages and strengthened standards for lawsuits against emergency medical professionals.

Newly-elected Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt (R) played a key role in the passage of the comprehensive Missouri bill in 2005. Former Gov. Bob Holden (D) had vetoed similar legislation in 2003 and 2004.

“We commend governors, state legislators, business leaders and community groups for tackling tort reform in their states and gaining successes that will help make their states more positive environments for their citizens,” Joyce said.

ATRA’s Record is a semi-annual report listing state-by-state civil justice reforms enacted since 1986, the year ATRA was founded.

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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.