West Virginia Judge Acknowledges Abuse Fills Asbestos Docket
On February 5, 2020, Judge Ronald Wilson of Kanawha County trial court issued an order that expressly acknowledged “abuse” in his
Judicial Hellholes
Philadelphia Judge Slashes $8 Billion Risperdal Verdict
ATRA is encouraged by Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Kenneth Powell’s decision to slash the $8 billion punitive damages
Judicial Hellholes
Judicial Hellholes Abuse Nation’s Civil Justice System
A new report highlights the worst local courts and states for abuses of the civil justice system, with the Top
Judicial Hellholes
First Opioid Bellwether Trial Settles, Thousands of Cases Remain
The first bellwether trial in the opioid multi-district litigation was scheduled to begin today, October 21 in Ohio. However, prior
Judicial Hellholes
ATRA Announces Mid-Year Addition of Oklahoma to Judicial Hellholes List
Once a national leader in enacting fair and balanced civil justice reform for plaintiffs and defendants, Oklahoma, regrettably, has become
Judicial Hellholes
Attorneys General Stand Up to Expansive Public Nuisance Claims
On May 17, 2019, a group of 18 State Attorneys General submitted an amicus brief in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals
Judicial Hellholes
Missouri Legislature Passes Some Improvements, Disappoints on Missouri Merchandising Practices Act Reform
The Missouri legislature adjourned on Friday, May 17, 2019, ending a session filled with mixed results. The legislature should be
Judicial Hellholes
California Courts: Drop Science At the Door
A California jury sent a clear message this week when it awarded more than $2 billion in damages to a
Judicial HellholesMinnesota Appellate Court Upholds Sanctions Against BNSF Further Solidifying “Judicial Hellholes” Designation
A Minnesota appeals court issued a disappointing ruling earlier this week when it upheld sanctions against BNSF in a toxic
Judicial HellholesFlorida Bills Would Diminish Patient Privacy
Two bills moving through the Florida legislature, if enacted, will further solidify the state’s unfortunate status as a “Judicial Hellhole.”
Judicial Hellholes
ATRA Responds to Reuters Baby Powder “Exposé”: Lawsuits Should be Based on Science, Not Fearmongering
The American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) today responded to a Reuters report that purports to show that the baby powder
Judicial HellholesSupreme Court’s Adoption of Novel Theories of Liability, Abusive ‘No-Injury’ Litigation, Place California atop Latest ‘Judicial Hellholes’ List
Today, the American Tort Reform Foundation released its 2018-2019 Judicial Hellholes report. California tops the list, with Florida, New York City and St. Louis not far behind.
Judicial HellholesATRA Announces Mid-Year Addition of Twin Cities to Judicial Hellholes List
Troubling trends in Twin Cities courtrooms, unprincipled actions by Minnesota’s attorney general and multiple vetoes of common sense reforms by
Judicial HellholesDisappointing Legislative Session Comes to a Close in Missouri
The Missouri Legislature adjourned on the evening of Friday, May 19, 2018, without passing significant legal reform legislation. Lawmakers gave
Judicial HellholesWest Virginia High Court Soundly Rejects Trial Bar’s Theory of Innovator Liability
On May 11, 2018, the West Virginia Supreme Court issued its long-awaited opinion in the case of McNair v. Johnson
Judicial Hellholes, Points of LightFormer NY Speaker Sheldon Silver Convicted of Federal Corruption Charges in Second Trial
As reported by the New York Times, Sheldon Silver, former Democratic speaker of the New York State Assembly, was found
Judicial Hellholes5th Circuit Court of Appeals Overturns $502 Million J&J Verdict after Finding ‘Unequivocally Deceptive’ Conduct by Plaintiffs’ Lawyer
On Wednesday, April 25, 2018, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals threw out a half-billion dollar verdict against Johnson &
Judicial HellholesIntent on Making State a Judicial Hellhole- Maryland High Court Holds Statute of Repose Does Not Apply to Asbestos Claims
The Maryland Court of Appeals recently overturned the state appellate court’s Duffy v. CBS Corp. decision. In the case, which
Judicial HellholesATRA Disappointed in Massachusetts Supreme Court’s Decision to Adopt Expansive Theory of “Innovator Liability”
On March 16, 2018, in a very disappointing decision, the Massachusetts Supreme Court adopted an expansive theory of civil liability
Judicial HellholesCalifornia Federal Court Finds ‘Insufficient Evidence’ to Require Warning Labels on Roundup Products
On February 26, 2018, a federal judge in the District Court for the Eastern District of California halted a Prop 65 requirement that Monsanto place warning labels on its Roundup products, deciding that there was “insufficient evidence” the popular weed killer causes cancer.
Judicial HellholesAttorney General Sessions Discusses DOJ Efforts to Combat Opioid Abuse
On Tuesday, we heard more about the ongoing efforts to combat opioid abuse and efforts to combat this important public
Judicial Hellholes