The have created their own newspapers with an anti-trial lawyer/plaintiff agenda that they have for free outside of our courthouses and online. When they started they did not sell advertising. Since then, they have tried to make them appear legitimate by selling ads and toning down their arguments for a more subtle approach except for their opinions. The one in my hometown is the Southeasttexasrecord.com. If the link doesn't work just google it. They tailor their stories and arguments to influence upcoming trials.
They have influenced local and judicial elections nation wide and stacked the deck with ultra conservative politicians and judges. They found they get more bang for their buck this way while Democrats have been asleep at he wheel (they were bought off too)!
They have a plan and have been executing it. Tort reform nation wide was their idea wrapped in a "Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse". They cap damages on everything they can to stop the "frivolous" cases. Why cap damages if it is a frivolous case? Plaintiff lawyers only get paid if they recover money for their client. Taking a frivolous case is a waste of time and money since the lawyer puts his/her own money into the expenses, and they only get those back out of a recovery! The McDonalds hot coffee case is a good example. McDonalds raised the temp on the coffee to make it last longer and produce more coffee. Worldwide the move was profitable even though they had to settle several burn caseses confidentially. Stella Liebeck was seriously burned and almost died after coffee spilled in her lap. They had to remove her labia and clitoris. The jury awarded her one day of these profits (2 million), the Judge reduced it to $900,000 b/c he thought it excessive. McDonalds lowered the temp back to industry standard. All Americans heard from our media was woman spills hot coffee, sues and gets millions! This was over 20 years ago and people still remember this as a "frivolous" case! NONE of our media reported the truth!
We are well and truly FUCKED as Americans in general are so jaded, and feel helpless to make a difference, that they do and know nothing of what is happening to them. Plaintiff lawyers are going under and changing their practice to other areas. It is getting harder and harder to stay afloat. People may think it is great since we have been demonized for so long and certain members of our profession do not help our cause with their behavior, but when something happens and they come to one of us for help, they are shocked when we tell them they they would have had a great case a few years ago, but now we will not take it b/c the caps are so low we lose money even if we get up to the capped amount. Medical malpractice is like this in Texas.
The Chamber is evil and must be defeated. We should boycott their membership!
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