PROTECT CONSUMER JUSTICE.ORG

A California appellate court today sided with accident victims and against insurance companies for the second time in a month on a key issue related to damages, the collateral source rule.

Health insurance companies would retain their exemption from federal antitrust laws under the health care reform bill that will be voted on in the U.S. Senate Thursday. But the House bill removes most of that exemption, and the issue would be fought over in conference committee.

A report in the Fort Myers (Fla.) News-Press indicates Florida’s limits on damages paid to victims of medical negligence haven’t been responsible for reducing either doctors’ medical malpractice insurance premiums or the number of malpractice lawsuits filed.

While limits on damages awarded to victims of medical negligence in Texas have been touted as a model for America, a study by the watchdog group Public Citizen shows Texas’ damage caps aren’t providing benefits to consumers.

A federal judge in Chicago rules today that LA Times’ journalists’ suit can continue against Tribune Company chairman Sam Zell and a bank that helped structure the ill-fated $8.3 billion deal. The judge rejected Zell’s request that the suit be thrown out

As Toyota struggles with a massive recall over its cars unexpectedly accelerating, the California Bar Association cleared the automaker’s former in-house counsel of violating attorney-client privilege when he divulged information about roll-over accidents, the Daily Journal discloses today.

Cigarette makers pay good money for their friends. The American Tort Reform Association’s membership list is a “who’s who” of moneyed interests including Big Tobacco. They spend heavily to keep individuals from getting a fair shake in the courtroom.