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Piccola Expresses Support for Urgent Reenactment of Fair
Share Act
HARRISBURG -- A
major step was taken today to reenact a landmark tort reform measure as the
Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously voted out Senate Bill 435, reform of
joint and several liability which was struck down by an earlier court decision,
according to Senate Majority Whip Jeffrey E. Piccola (R-15).
In 2002, Piccola, along with
Senator Jake Corman and now retired Senator Hal Mowery, led the push to curb
lawsuit abuse and bring fairness, common sense, and economic opportunity to
Pennsylvania. The law of joint and several liability was changed to ensure that
defendants would not be forced to pay the full amount of an award if they were
found to be only partially liable. Instead, their level of responsibility would
determine their maximum percentage payment of an award.
Today, lawmakers took the
first important step to restore the reform. In reaction to amendments in the
Judiciary Committee, which were supported by the Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers,
Piccola said, “It's frustrating that Pennsylvania Courts struck down the first
significant civil justice reform enacted in decades. It's also frustrating that
some members of the Senate are fighting to dismantle the reform by offering
measures to water down the law which was enacted with overwhelming support in
2002.”
“We have already lost three
years of benefits from the reform measure. Compromises were made in 2002 --
there's no further need for compromise. The need is to act expediently now,”
Piccola said.
“The Commonwealth needs to
continue the fight and join other states that have enacted lawsuit abuse reforms
by addressing joint and several liability. This is about providing
Pennsylvanians with economic opportunity and job security. We can't expect
medical professionals, hospitals, job creators, and the state's citizens to be
responsible for the expensive, burdensome, and unfair legal system,” he added.
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