Weekly Legislative Update
March 13, 2009

Mid-session wrap up
Half-way point offers some relief, some snickers

Today marks the 61st day of a 105-day legislative session and first day that each chamber will begin deliberation on the other chamber’s bills.  Thankfully, there are fewer to consider than there were just a few weeks ago. 

First the good news.  The LRC and its allies were successful at killing several major liability-expanding bills including the House version of an asbestos liability bill, the false claims act and the inflated medical records bill.  But perhaps the sweetest victory to-date came from the trial lawyers themselves who helped kill their priority piece of legislation, a bill to retroactively apply liability in asbestos cases (for defendants who didn’t even make asbestos products, by the way.). 

The trial lawyers targeted a handful of legislators who opposed SB 5964 and placed full-page ads in the legislators’ home town newspapers.  The nasty political tactic backfired.  As reported in the Tacoma News Tribune and the Daily Olympian, these ads caused such ire with Senate members that they killed the trial lawyers’ bill. 

Unfortunately, not all bad liability bills were laid to rest.  Still up on the agenda for the LRC are five measures which need to be defeated:  SB 5531/HB 1683 – bills to expand the Consumer Protection Act; SB 5886 – a measure to eliminate the effectiveness of protective orders and; SB 5895/HB 1393 – expansion of contractor liability. 

For a complete list of the liability bill action, see the LRC’s bill tracker. 

Top five “loony lawsuits”

www.sickoflawsuits.com

Their name says it all. 

SickOfLawsuits.com has compiled a list of the top five “looniest lawsuits” of 2008.  And who says our judicial system doesn’t need common-sense reform?

5. Lap Dance Lawsuit
New York securities trader Stephen Craig is suing a Manhattan strip joint for “serious injuries” he sustained during a lap dance. Craig, who is married, alleges that a stripper employed by the Hot Lap Dance Club near Madison Square Garden swiveled and smacked him in the eye with the heel of her shoe during an early morning performance last November. The Associated Press, March 17, 2008.

4. Lost her Laptop and her Mind
A Washington, D.C. woman is suing Best Buy for $54 million because the store purportedly lost her laptop computer. Although the electronics retailer apologized, provided reimbursement for the cost of the computer, and gave the woman a $900 gift card for her inconvenience, she remains unsatisfied. She acknowledges that $54 million unreasonable but will nevertheless pursue the lawsuit. MSNBC, February 15, 2008.

3. Blonde-Turned-Brunette Sues
A Connecticut woman sued L’Oreal Inc., alleging that the company ruined her social life when she accidentally dyed her hair brunette with one of its products. The woman said she can never return to her natural blonde hue, a shock that left her so traumatized she needed anti-depressants and had to stay home and wear hats most of the time. The Associated Press, October 9, 2008.

2. $54 Million “Pants Suit”
Sitting D.C. judge Roy Pearson sued his dry cleaners for $54 million over a lost pair of paints, alleging their “Satisfaction Guaranteed” sign was a fraud. After two years of battle, Soo and Jin Chung, owners of Custom Cleaners and victims of this abusive lawsuit, won the case. Sadly, however, they were forced to close one of their three stores as a result of the costly and tiring lawsuit. Judge Pearson continues to abuse the system and is appealing the verdict. The Washington Post, October 23, 2008.

1. Wronged by a Thong
Macrida Patterson is suing Victoria’s Secret after a piece of her rhinestone-decorated undergarment, described as “saucy” and “slingshot-like,” was launched into her eye. Despite having received only minimal medical attention the following morning and laundering the thong several times before the incident, Patterson and her lawyer believe the lingerie chain is responsible for monetary compensation. MSNBC, June 19, 2008.