A Texas Monthly article goes in depth on why it’s more difficult than ever to get a lawyer in Texas. While you might have been led to believe that tort reform has paved the way for a fairer legal system, a system where so-called frivolous lawsuits are no longer a drain on the economy, you might be surprised to learn that ordinary Texans are paying the price. Tort reform and caps on non-economic damages in cases of medical malpractice have made it harder than ever to get a lawyer to represent you in the State of Texas.
What Happens to Injured Victims?
It’s the unfortunate truth that many injured victims across the State of Texas have little or no recourse in the legal system. Simply put, it’s not economically possible for many cases that should go to trial to do so. Caps on non-economic damages mean that a lawyer could have tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars out of pocket upfront for a case where there’s a cap on compensation for victims.
Corporate-Friendly Legal System
It’s a sad fact that the legal system is no longer ordinary-citizen friendly. Even in cases that appear to be big wins for victims, caps mean the victim might not be receiving as much compensation as you would originally hope. These aren’t greedy-lawsuit-hungry people. These are our neighbors, friends, family members and loved ones who have been wronged and need recourse in a fair and unbiased legal system.
The Myth of Frivolous Lawsuits
The article goes on to point out that a 1994 Bureau of Labor Statistics report failed to find any decline in the economy in Texas that could be attributed to so-called frivolous lawsuits. In fact, Texas led the nation in new job growth creation that year, the year when tort reform and the myth of frivolous lawsuits were becoming a political force. Additionally, a jury verdict survey found that the midpoint verdict for personal-injury cases in Texas was below the national average in every year between 1989 and 1993. The ‘litigation crisis’ and so-called problem of ‘frivolous lawsuits’ was essentially manufactured by a few businessmen in efforts to increase their bottom line and reduce corporate accountability.
It’s more important than ever to have an experienced personal injury attorney on your side after an accident. Contact the skilled and proven team at the Altman Legal Group at (940) 761-4000 for a free case consultation.