Project Lawsuit Abuse Newsmakers

Tort reformers have been turning up all over the internet recently. We took the liberty of rounding up some of the standouts. You may recognize a few friends of Project Lawsuit Abuse in there. Here are some of the newsmakers from around the country.

How Some Prisoners Can Pursue Frivolous Lawsuits at Public Expense
Michael Witkin will be a California inmate at least until 2026, yet he has sued a car-repair-shop owner for $15,000 for the lost use of his transmission…Back in 2008, a group called California Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse reported on nearly $200 million over six years in costs related to inmate-initiated lawsuits, many of which the group deems frivolous. – The Crime Report

Levee Board Lawsuit – the Latest Chapter in Trial Lawyer Greed
The latest chapter on trial lawyer greed exploded onto headlines in newspapers across the country this summer, when a New Orleans based levee board filed suit against scores of energy companies that operate along Louisiana’s coast. – The Louisiana Record

How Vermont could save the nation from patent trolls
Patent law is traditionally the domain of the federal government. But recently, patent litigation has become such a nuisance that state officials have started looking for ways to address the problem…Vermont has emerged as a hotbed of anti-troll activism. Not only did Sorrell sue a patent troll, but the Vermont legislature passed an anti-patent troll bill this year. – The Washington Post

CA Malpractice Laws Prove Fertile Ground for Political Fight
California, a state by no means lacking for political theater or material, may be primed for its next cause celebre. Buoyed by support from the consumer advocacy group, Consumer Watchdog, Danville father Bob Packs has formally submitted a measure to the state that would raise the medical malpractice awards cap for non-economic injuries, a move sure to inflame tensions on a longstanding debate. –NBC Bay Area