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PaTLA in the News |
PA TRIAL LAWYERS MOURN WITH NATION;
ENDORSE MORATORIUM ON EMERGENCY RELATED LITIGATION
Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association president, Clifford A. Rieders of Williamsport, on Sept. 18 sent a letter to the organization�s full membership endorsing a moratorium on civil litigation which might arise from the events surrounding Tuesday�s terrorism and its aftermath. This call was first issued from Washington, D.C. by Leo V. Boyle, president of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.
Today�s action is our response to our nation�s need for unity, but more importantly, it is a gesture of compassion for the thousands of victims of last week�s violent events," said Rieders. "We will be committing our expertise and influence to earmark public funds from both the federal and state governments to provide compensation for the victims and grieving families."
"Pennsylvania obviously has jurisdiction as a result of the crash of United Flight 93 within our borders. But, like many Americans, our members want to do something constructive, something meaningful to help," Rieders said. "We will work closely with legislative and Congressional leaders to see that the allocation of $40 billion be expedited."
Rieders also announced that PaTLA has solicited a financial commitment from its governing body to contribute $10,000 to the Association of Trial Lawyers of America-911 Heroes Fund. According to Rieders, the contributions will directly benefit the families of police, fire, and ambulance workers who were injured or killed as a result of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. "The contribution will be made on behalf of the entire trial lawyer community across the U.S. and Canada, and (we hope) around the world," Rieders added. PaTLA�s rank-and-file membership has also been called upon to make substantial financial donations to the fund.
"We as trial lawyers are dedicated to helping injured people," Rieders said. "Our hearts now are with all of the victims and their loved ones of this terrible tragedy. And we are especially mindful of those rescue workers who were injured or killed during their attempts to save the lives of others in the World Trade Center."
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