Litigation

In Wisconsin, a rush to the courthouse

By Carter Wood

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, "Tort reform bill sparks filings":

With Gov. Scott Walker poised to sign into law broad new protections from lawsuits for businesses, plaintiffs' attorneys are hustling to file personal injury cases before the measure takes effect.

The bill approved by the Legislature on Thursday would limit punitive damages in personal injury lawsuits and damages for pain and suffering in medical malpractice cases involving nursing homes. That's left lawyers looking to make sure their clients aren't limited in collecting those.

"You have to protect your clients' rights based on whatever investigation you've done to date," said Rob Jaskulski, an attorney who filed a case for a client on Thursday - one of a number of cases that he said are being filed by his prominent firm Habush, Habush & Rottier.

The bill is special session Senate Bill 1. (Earlier post.)

Full post as published by Point of Law on January 26, 2011 (boomark / email).