Bush on tort reform

By Staff
August 11, 2002
His message no doubt displeased Mississippi's trial lawyers, but President Bush sided emphatically with the business community during his visit to Madison and Jackson last week. Identifying some of the doctors and other business people who've seen their insurance rates skyrocket due to the growing risk of litigation, Bush gave all the right reasons for reform in the states' civil justice systems.
He defined one element of reform as putting a federal cap on punitive damages in civil litigation. His proposal for a $250,000 cap seems to be a reasonable approach, as was his comment about not infringing on the right of any litigant to recover actual damages.
In light of the current lawsuit abuse climate in Mississippi, both Congress and the state Legislature would be wise to heed his words.