Abstracts » Law

Showdown in Senate on tort reform

Article Abstract:

As the Senate considers products-liability and other tort-reform bills, advocates for both sides are gathering and calculating how to get enough votes to sustain or prevent a filibuster. Democrats are asking for lengthy debate to consider the measures, which are broadly similar to those passed earlier this year by the House of Representatives. Loser-pays provisions to make lawsuit losers pay the winning side's legal bills seem to have less support in the Senate, and President Clinton has indicated he would veto any bill with such an element.

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Did tort reform make general aviation take off? A limited products liability law, signed last year, is held up as a model in the debate

Article Abstract:

Restrictions on lawsuits against small airplane and parts manufacturers may have led to a surge in employment and production, with possible implications for broader tort reform now in Congress. Airplane makers and users both sought legislation to limit lawsuits; President Clinton signed a law in Aug 1994 creating a statute of repose of 18 years for most manufacturing defects. While the industry is in some ways unique, the tort-reform bill passed by the House contains similar language as well as more sweeping measures.

Aircraft & Parts, Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing, Aircraft and Parts, Aircraft industry, Airplanes

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Back to the start for Senate tort bill

Article Abstract:

The US Senate on May 10 approved by 61-37 a narrow products liability bill following two weeks of debate that saw the bill expand dramatically before returning to its original state. The inability to assemble the 60 votes needed for broader measures makes it unlikely they will reach the White House in any form. The House of Representatives had passed a much more sweeping bill that President Clinton vowed to veto if it came before him in that form. The House may approve the Senate bill or seek a compromise.

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