DeepPocketsIllinois.com Launched to Defeat Trial Lawyer Bill Targeting Illinois Employers

The Illinois Civil Justice League Monday launched a new Web site - www.DeepPocketsIllinois.com - to build opposition to a new personal injury trial lawyer bill that would further build their litigation industry at the expense of Illinois employers.

The bill - SB 1296 - would make it easier for trial lawyers to go after the defendant with the most money - the deepest pockets - rather than the defendant most responsible for an injury.

The bill has already passed the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“This bill would ensure that defendants can more easily be held liable for more than their fair share in lawsuits simply because they have ‘deep pockets,’” said Ed Murnane, president of the Illinois Civil Justice League. “We believe - and fairness demands - that responsible parties should be held responsible for injuries or losses they may have caused. But this is nothing more than a personal injury trial lawyer money-grab that will be another stake in the heart of Illinois’ efforts to attract and retain new jobs and business investment.”

The new Web site allows visitors to learn about the legislation and to contact their legislators to urge a “No” vote on the bill.

"If enacted, Senate Bill 1296 will put Illinois further out of step with its neighbors, out of step with fairness, out of step with common sense and drop Illinois deeper into the tort 'hellhole' category that drives businesses out of Illinois," wrote Steven M. Puiszis, president of the Illinois Association of Defense Counsel, in a recent commentary piece. “SB 1296 is bad public policy and should not be passed into law.”

To view or post comments, please visit Illinois Justice Blog.

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