As trial lawyers, we are constantly bombarded with cries for “tort reform” from politicians, mega-corporations and insurance companies each and every day. Quite frankly, we have become immune to some extent, acknowledging that battling the proliferation of anti-victim and anti-trial lawyer policies has become part of our role as advocates for victims’ rights. However, how many of us have consciously asked ourselves: What does the phrase “tort reform” really mean to the public? More importantly, how do we educate the public about these issues?
The defense industry has invested millions of dollars into conservative tort reform advertising and lobbying in Pennsylvania alone. Admittedly, public opinion on many hot tort reform topics such as capping victims’ noneconomic damage awards has clearly swung in their favor.
