Political Quotes

“I rise in support of the Shelby amendment. In all of the 50 States, Alabama has a different and unique recovery in the event that a decision is made by a court or jury in regard to the death of an individual, whether it be brought by negligence or any form of action. Alabama's wrongful death statute is unlike any other State's wrongful death statute because its damages are punitive only. A person cannot prove, in a wrongful death case in Alabama, compensatory damages. An Alabama plaintiff cannot show his wages, his doctor bills, or anything similar of an economic or noneconomic nature. Alabama's statute is very unique and different from any other State. The language of the Shelby amendment was included in a number of previous bills that were reported out of the Commerce Committee. In the 102d Congress, in the bill that was reported out, S. 640, and in several bills that were reported out of the Commerce Committee on product liability previous to that, they contained the exact language of the pending Shelby amendment. This had been worked on, and there had been several drafts and everybody agreed that it was a proper amendment to be included. I suppose since I have opposed the overall product liability, this provision may have been taken out. What I am saying is that the citizens of Alabama ought not to be at a disadvantage in regard to recovery under whatever product liability bill is passed.”