Dan Sullivan: “I believe we need to stop the lawsuit lottery in this country. Today I rise in support of H.R. 1115, the Class Action…”

“I believe we need to stop the lawsuit lottery in this country. Today I rise in support of H.R. 1115, the Class Action Fairness Act of 2002. H.R. 1115 is a critical piece of legislation that can reform tort law and give reprieve to our beleaguered State and local courts that are suffering under the weight of frivolous lawsuits. Statistics have shown that upwards of 93 percent of Americans believe tort reforms are needed. These statistics also show that 50 percent of all tort awards go towards lawyers' fees and their administrative costs. From these figures it is easy to discern that the American people demand tort reform and protection from lawyers who are looking out for their own interests rather than those of the plaintiffs they represent. The Class Action Fairness Act of 2003 seeks a balanced and sensible approach to address the worst class action abuses. It provides protections for consumers and assures fair and prompt recoveries for class members with legitimate claims. The bill specifically discourages lawyers from forum shopping for courts most likely to approve a prospective class of plaintiffs and award large monetary decisions. By curbing these abuses of the class action system, consumer costs will be driven down and these lawsuits will benefit plaintiffs they are intended to compensate.”