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Judiciary Committee vote on caps has been postponed due to inclement weather
1/27/2004) -- Today's expected vote in the Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee on whether or not to approve a broad constitutional amendment that would allow caps on non-economic damages to be imposed in EVERY civil case - including auto accidents and product liability - has been postponed because of inclement weather. The vote is now scheduled for February 10, 2004.
The Senate Judiciary Committee was prepared to vote today on this sweeping reform to our legal system without knowing basic information - such as how much is paid out annually in non-economic damages in Pennsylvania annually - and apparently without concern that capping damages like this restricts people's access (particularly poor people's) to the courts and our legal system. Access to justice for everyone is a fundamental tenet of our democracy and it is under attack.
This delay is both good news and bad news for PaTLA members. PaTLA members, our clients and others who believe in basic fairness have more time to beat this effort back - but so does the other side. They will be fighting every day to increase their profits and take away our clients' rights. Every PaTLA member must remain vigilant and continue to fight back.
Before the committee vote PaTLA implores you to bring a client to meet with your state Senator and explain to them why caps won't work, why they aren't fair, and what alternatives exist that will work without taking away our clients' rights. Attached are helpful Talking Points, Q&A, and other information from PaTLA.
Related Files
Q_and_A
Talking_points
What_Legis_Needs_To_know
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