Quote of the day
“I think the survey is sound. The Institute for Legal Reform surveyed over 1,300 general counsels and legal professionals. The state needs to continue to pass tort reform measures to improve its rankings.”
William Large, Florida Justice Reform Institute president
Washington L&I proposes change in workers’ comp premiums for 2020
The Washington Department of Labor & Industries has announced an overall 0.8 percent decrease in average workers’ compensation insurance premiums, effective January 1, 2020. It would be the third year in a row for an overall rate decrease. Members of the public have opportunities to comment on the proposed rates during three upcoming public hearings. 425 Business
Survey: Florida near bottom in lawsuit climate survey
The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform’s 2019 Lawsuit Climate Survey ranks Florida 46th in the nation in state liability systems. The state is among the bottom five in overall treatment of tort and contract litigation, treatment of class action and mass actions, damages, proportional discovery, trial judges’ impartiality and competence and fairness of juries. The ranking is a drop from the 2015 survey when the state was ranked 44th, and in 2012 when it was ranked 41st. Florida Record
Postal employee pleads guilty to stealing over $100K in FECA benefits
A 57-year-old former United States Postal Service employee has pleaded guilty to stealing over $100,000 in Federal Employees’ Compensation Act benefits by falsely asserting that a job-related injury prevented her from working in a full-time capacity. During the relevant time period she was observed participating in dog-agility competitions. FedSmith
Teva proposes $15B ‘drugs-for-dismissal’ settlement
Israeli drugmaker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has proposed to give away over $15 billion of generic drugs over 10 years to settle claims related to its alleged liability in the United States opioid crisis. The Wall Street Journal reported this week that three drug distributors are in talks with state and local governments to settle thousands of opioid lawsuits for $18 billion. Jerusalem Post