Statement
by Associated Industries of Florida President Barney Bishop
Regarding Senate Approval to Abolish Joint and Several Liability
to
Restore Fairness to Florida’s Civil Justice System
March
30, 2006
TALLAHASSEE—“Associated
Industries of Florida and the Florida Coalition for Legal Reform
applaud the excellent work of the Florida Senate today for approving
historic legislation that will bring sweeping changes to the justice
system by eliminating joint and several liability. Today’s favorable
vote is the culmination of a forty-year effort to bring balance
to our civil justice system.
“This meaningful legislation
will keep our courts open to all citizens who have been truly
wronged and are justified in seeking restitution. Without joint
and several liability, our court system will finally be based
on fairness and balance. It will allow Florida to better compete
with other southeastern states to expand our current business
base and to attract new companies to Florida’s business-friendly
climate.
“All Floridians will
benefit from the abolishment of joint and several liability lawsuits
which created a “deep pocket” mentality that disproportionately
attacks those with the most to lose. Under the current system,
any business can be forced to pay 100 percent of the damages even
after a judge or jury adjudicates them as only 20 percent at fault.
For far too many years, joint and several lawsuits have harmed
business owners, as well as employees, their families, you, me
– all of us—who have been forced to pay higher prices for goods
because of the ever-increasing litigation costs businesses must
pass along to consumers.
“Associated Industries
of Florida and its ten-thousand business members greatly appreciate
the efforts of Senate President Tom Lee and many other Senators
who stood in firm support of this good bill despite the vocal
criticism from the trial bar. We also credit Governor Jeb Bush
for his unrelenting leadership in making tort reform a legislative
priority and House Speaker Allan Bense for his tenacity and unfaltering
conviction to bring a fair and balanced civil justice system to
the people of Florida.”
|
