Wrongful Death Expansion still a Threat

Medical associations, businesses, and local governments across New Jersey stood in opposition to S-763, the “More Lawsuits, Higher Taxes” act.  NJLRA and many others have been busy trying to prevent a last-minute effort to push this damaging legislation through during “lame duck,” as has been attempted in the past.  So far, it appears that our elected officials are listening.  S-763 is bad for taxpayers, businesses, school districts, local governments, and doctors across our state.  Its passage could have devastating consequences for many economic sectors, and contribute to the exodus of specialty doctors from our State. 

Today, however, NJLRA learned of a mailer being circulated by AARP of New Jersey, urging its members to call Senate President Richard Codey and ask him to post this legislation before the lame-duck legislature.  Presented as a moral effort to quantify the “worthiness” of children, the elderly, and disabled, the mailer expressly ignores that this bill would undermine the fairness of the courts by giving juries free rein to impose unlimited and highly-subjective awards.  It would invite abuse, and exploitation by ambulance chasers at the expense of New Jersey residents and businesses. 

So, let’s seize the opportunity, and call Senate President Codey to thank him for NOT posting S-763 during lame duck: 1-800-260-0130.