The Oklahoma Legislature has before it a “tort reform” bill that is seriously anti-consumer. The Journal Record has a good summary of portions of the bill. Here is one small section from the article:
Section 15 allows a party to obtain a stay of the enforcement of a judgment if a post-trial motion is pending or if an appeal may be brought in any court in or outside the state. Appeal bonds would be limited to no more than $25 million; an appeal bond for businesses with 250 or fewer employees could not exceed $1 million. If it is proven that the appellant is intentionally diverting assets, the court may act to prevent that activity. Tobacco companies would not have to post more than 10 percent of their net worth. Appeal bonds would not be required for appeals of punitive damages.
The lawyer who sent me the link to this article had this to say: “Special rules for tobacco companies on appeal, eh? Wonder who wants to take ownership of that little gem?”
Isn’t that the way it always goes? Someone makes, or promises to make, a large campaign contribution, and then a legislator inserts a provision that will potentially harm every one of his or her constituents, but will benefit the contributor. Don’t you just love politics…?
