A lawsuit has been filed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania’s Federal Court against Wellpath Care and physicians alleging harm from delays in medical treatment due, in part, to the COVID-19 pandemic. Wellpath delivers medical, mental, and behavioral healthcare services to patients located in inpatient and residential treatment facilities, civil commitment centers, and local, state, and federal correctional…
News & Updates: Community
PCCJR Joins Coalition Opposing ALI’s Proposed Restatement of Consumer Contracts Law
The Pennsylvania Coalition for Civil Justice Reform (PCCJR) joined a broad coalition last week in urging the American Law Institute (ALI) to not approve a proposed Restatement of the Law for Consumer Contracts. The proposed changes would recommend a different set of legal rules to govern contracts between a business and a consumer. By way of…
PCCJR Opposes Attempt to Quintuple Damage Amounts in Consumer Litigation
Earlier this week, the Pennsylvania Coalition for Civil Justice Reform (PCCJR) opposed an effort in the state House to significantly increase the minimum award amount for violations of the Unfair Trade Practices Act/Consumer Protection Law. The proposal was brought forth in an amendment to H.B. 1594. The amendment would have raised the minimum amount that can be awarded from…
Institute for Legal Reform Unveils List of “Most Ridiculous Lawsuits of 2021”
Frivolous lawsuits over candy, coffee, butter, and funny videos all made the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for Legal Reform’s (ILR) list of the “Most Ridiculous Lawsuits of 2021.” Taking the top spot was a suit filed against the candy Tootsie Rolls claiming they “are unhealthy because the candy has sugar and trans fats.” In a press…
Pennsylvania’s Reapportionment Process Advances to Next Stage, But Not Without Conflict
Every 10 years, following the release of the U.S. Census data, the Commonwealth is required to redraw its congressional and state legislative districts. As a result of stagnant population growth, the Commonwealth will lose one Congressional seat – going from the current 18 to 17. The reapportionment process can often be a contentious one and this year…
Striking a Blow Against Litigation Tourism
For many years, a business could be sued in Pennsylvania courts by the mere fact that the company registered to do business in Pennsylvania. In what is sure to strike a blow against “litigation tourism,” the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has declared that the Pennsylvania statute that allowed such expansive jurisdiction “clearly, palpably, and plainly violates the…