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Legislative Priorities-Lawsuit Abuse
ISSUE: Prevent Lawsuit Abuse
CHAMBER MEMBERS ADVOCATE:
Protecting current Michigan laws pertaining to general tort, medical
liability, consumer protection and products liability, including Michigan’s
FDA Defense law. Supporting reforms, such as limitation on attorney fees and loser pay,
which ensure Michigan’s civil justice system is fair and balanced. Preserving Michigan's No-Fault automobile insurance system while
allowing for competition, flexibility and choice in the marketplace and
opposing attempts to reduce the tort liability threshold or increase the
benefit or coverage thresholds.
- Maintaining the right to enter into pre-dispute agreements requiring
arbitration.
WHY?
The general, medical and products liability reforms that were enacted by the
Legislature in the 1980s and 1990s have been effective in bringing
reliability and balance to our legal system by curtailing lawsuit abuse,
helping to retain practicing physicians in Michigan, and focusing court and
financial resources on legitimate cases. Given Michigan’s reputation as a
leader in the national legal reform movement, Michigan cannot afford to turn
back the clock and should instead proactively work to strengthen and improve
the state’s civil justice system. For similar reasons, the Michigan Chamber
is opposed to any legislative attempts to erode the tort thresholds under
Michigan’s No-Fault insurance system. Furthermore, parties should be free to
agree in advance to a prompt, efficient and fair dispute resolution process
outside of the court system.
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