CL – Tort reform: Turning back the clock?

CL – Tort reform: Turning back the clock?

The two most recent gubernatorial administrations – former Democratic Gov. Ronnie Musgrove and current Republican Gov. Haley Barbour – pressed for and won legislative approval for significant reforms dealing with lawsuit abuse.

Musgrove called a special session in 2002 that led to reforms in tort laws, which helped make medical malpractice insurance more affordable and available.

Barbour’s 2004 tort reform special session significantly expanded those reforms by limiting pain-and-suffering awards to $500,000 in medical malpractice cases and $1 million in most other lawsuits.

Clarion-Ledger
9/9/9