An article in a recent issue of Texas Lawyer discussed proposed changes in law that may be facing the current session of the Texas Legislature. On the subject of Tort Reform,Alex Winslow of Texas Watch was quoted:
“We would like to tie the cap on non-economic damages [generally $250,000] to the inflationary index so it grows with the cost of living,” says Alex Winslow, executive director of Texas Watch. “California enacted the same $250,000 cap in 1976, and now in real dollars, it’s only worth about $65,000. We want to make sure the cap keeps up with the cost of living.”
That seems perfectly reasonable to me, but Winslow was countered by Dick Trabulsi, president of Texans for Lawsuit Reform:
“We think the caps are working as they should,” says Trabulsi. “How do you adjust for cost of living on something like pain and suffering? I don’t get that concept.”
So Trabulsi can understand the concept of placing an arbitrary monetary amount ($250,000) on pain and suffering, but he can’t understand the concept of adjusting that amount for inflation? Trabulsi and Texans for Lawsuit Reform get my vote for Most Hypocritical Statement of 2007.
