Oklahoma State Senate
Republican Floor Leader
Senator Glenn Coffee
State Capitol Room 531
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
(405) 521-5636

For Immediate Release: April 4, 2006

Senate Democrats Kill Lawsuit Reform – Again

- Obstruction by Senate Democrats will mean fewer new jobs, higher health care costs for Oklahomans

State Senate Democrats have killed a meaningful lawsuit reform bill, once again proving their loyalty to their trial lawyer allies. Tuesday, Senate Democrats defeated the most meaningful lawsuit reform bill in state history during a meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“With doctors quitting and scaling back their practices, and with many businesses considering taking their operations and jobs out of the state because of our legal climate, lawsuit abuse is a real problem for the State of Oklahoma,” stated Senate Republican Leader Glenn Coffee. “We need significant and meaningful lawsuit reform in Oklahoma, not more political games from Senate Democrats.”

“The trial lawyers have once again successfully killed a meaningful lawsuit reform bill. The defeat of HB 3120 is a devastating blow to Oklahoma doctors and health care providers that will further limit access to health care in our state – especially in rural Oklahoma,” said Rep. Fred Morgan, R-Oklahoma City, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

House Bill 3120, the Common Sense in the Courtroom Act, was defeated in the Senate Judiciary Committee on a 4 to 7 vote. The move means the full Senate will not get a chance to have an up-or-down vote on HB 3120. The bill is authored by House Speaker Todd Hiett and Senate Republican Floor Leader Glenn Coffee.

“It is extremely disappointing that the Senate Democrat leadership has again chosen to protect the trial lawyers instead of allowing the full Senate to have an up-or-down vote on a meaningful lawsuit reform bill that could help our state,” Coffee said. “Senate Democrat leaders have come down clearly against meaningful lawsuit reform. Their obstruction will mean fewer new jobs and higher health care costs for the people of Oklahoma.”

HIGHLIGHTS OF HB 3120,
THE COMMON SENSE IN THE COURTROOM ACT

Quick and Fair Resolution of Lawsuits:
- The Common Sense in the Courtroom Act would make it easier for plaintiffs or defendants with strong cases to win on summary judgment, rather than going through the painful, expensive and difficult process of a trial.

No more Hunting for “Deep Pockets” in Lawsuits:
- Right now, lawyers fishing for jackpot verdicts use “joint and several liability,” the so- called “deep pockets” rule, that holds each defendant in a legal action responsible for the entire amount of damages a plaintiff seeks regardless of the degree of responsibility. The Common Sense in the Courtroom Act would create a proportionate liability rule under which defendants will only be responsible for their relative share of damages.

Cleaning up Class Action:
- In a notorious case against Jiffy Lube in Oklahoma, attorneys collected millions in fees while the clients got coupons for car service. The Common Sense in the Courtroom Act would ensure that if clients get coupons, the lawyers get coupons. The bill also would limit “contingency” fees for attorneys.

Reducing Health Care and Consumer Costs for Oklahomans:
- The Common Sense in the Courtroom Act would put sensible limits on non-economic damages like pain and suffering. Large non-economic damage awards drive up the cost of health care and the cost of consumer goods and services.

Common Sense Protection for Business Owners:
- The bill limits lawsuits against makers of choice-based products – such as fast food – that everyone knows can have potentially harmful consequences if misused.

For more information contact:
Senate Republican Leadership's Office - (405) 521-5654