Businesses and individuals pay a price for frivolous and unnecessary lawsuits. In Pennsylvania the total cost of the civil tort system is $18.4 billion dollars or 2.5% of the state’s gross domestic product. That amounts to a cost of $3,721.00 per household!* Our expensive and inefficient civil litigation system impacts every employers’ ability to grow jobs and our economy.
*U.S. Chamber Institute for Litigation Reform
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Pennsylvania voters have spoken. Voters approved all four statewide ballot questions and we now know what the Republican and Democrat fields will look like in the appellate court races this fall. Also decided were four special elections, two in the House and two in the Senate. Here is a full accounting of the unofficial election results:
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PCCJR Argued that the court does not have jurisdiction over an appeal from the trial court's collateral order staying the proceedings and compelling arbitration.
Status: Decided
PCCJR Argued that punitive damages should be calculated on a per judgement basis, as opposed to per defendent, and a punitive to compensatory ratio of 9 to 1 or higher, was unconstitutional.
Status: Decided
HB 605 provides for limited COVID-19-related liability to manufacturers and others who provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), certain medical services, and who have opened up their businesses and followed CDC guidelines.
Passed the House on April 6, 2021 by a vote of 107 to 94; referred to Senate Judiciary
SB 273 provides for limited COVID-19-related liability to manufacturers and others who provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), certain medical services, and who have opened up their businesses and followed CDC guidelines.
Referred to Senate Judiciary
HB 101 provides limited liability protection for businesses engaged in agritourism activities such as corn mazes and pick-your-own businesses.
Passed the House on February 5, 2021 and referred to the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee
This joint resolution creates a two-year window in which civil lawsuits alleging childhood sexual abuse may be filed in court notwithstanding any otherwise applicable statute of limitations defense.
Re-referred to Rules and Executive Nominations, March 22, 2021
