Political Quotes

“Let me finish that point. They are correct that there are circumstances where a plaintiff in a case could get a judgment under these circumstances and wind up paying attorney fees for the defendant, but under the current bill, as it is formulated, that only occurs if they are way off in their settlement negotiations. So, for example, if that plaintiff is at $100,000 in the case, and the defendant is offering $50,000, and they do not get any further, under the current rule in this bill only if the plaintiff recovers more than $100,000 will the defendant pay the plaintiff's attorney fees; only if the plaintiff gets less than $50,000, or $50,000 less than the plaintiff's last offer, would the plaintiff pay the defendant's attorney fees because the plaintiff was not reasonable in negotiations. The proof of the reasonableness is in the jury's final award, and that is the basis of this mechanism. It will push parties together to settle cases. I think that the amendment offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Gekas] is well intentioned, but I think it may be too razor sharp for the comfort of some on the other side.”