PAPER CHASE NEWSBURST
Serious law. Primary sources. Global perspective.


Thursday, August 18, 2005

DOJ report shows decline in federal tort lawsuits
David Shucosky at 10:50 AM ET

[JURIST] There has been an almost 80 percent decrease [DOJ press release] in the number of federal tort trials from 1985 to 2003, the US Department of Justice [official website] said in a report released Wednesday. According to Federal Tort Trials and Verdicts, 2002-03 [report abstract; PDF full text], the decrease can be attributed to the growing use of alternative dispute resolution and the increased complexity and costs of trial. In addition, DOJ research showed that 98 percent of tort cases were settled without trial. The study contrasts with political complaints about lawsuits. In February, President Bush signed the Class Action Fairness Act [JURIST report], which sends large class action suits to federal courts rather than state courts, saying [White House press release] he wanted to "[end] the lawsuit culture in our country." A bill due for a vote next month in the Senate would end asbestos lawsuits [JURIST report] and would instead create a compensation fund. Bloomberg News has more.



Link | e-mail report   | how to subscribe | JURIST news archive | © JURIST

For a one-stop snapshot of the latest legal news that matters, with breaking documents, new legal videos, live law-related webcasts, commentary by expert law professors and more - all updated through the day in real time, with no ads and no registration barriers - visit JURIST's homepage and check back often...


LATEST LEGAL NEWS

 US military judge postpones Hamdan military commission trial
6:38 PM ET, May 16

 Malaysia panel alleges conspiracy in judicial fixing scandal
4:13 PM ET, May 16

 Federal court rules Countrywide shareholder suit can go forward
3:44 PM ET, May 16

 click for more...

LATEST FORUM

Do Funeral Protests Invade Mourners' Privacy?

Christina Wells
U. Missouri School of Law

ABOUT

Paper Chase is JURIST's real-time legal news weblog, powered by a team of 20 law student reporters and editors led by law professor Bernard Hibbitts at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. As an educational service, Paper Chase is dedicated to presenting important legal news and materials rapidly, objectively and intelligibly in an accessible, ad-free format.

CONTACT

Paper Chase welcomes comments, tips and URLs from readers. E-mail us at JURIST@law.pitt.edu