12-04-2004, 02:06 PM
Nah, if I was president, with my luck, I'd be stuck negotiating with a Republican legislature and a conservative Supreme Court, so nothing would ever get done.
Got a few more ideas, though:
- Outlaw Contingency Fees: Know why our courthouses are getting filled with stupid lawsuits? It's because in this country, lawyers are allowed to charge a contingency fee, which entitles them to a portion of whatever their clients win in a lawsuit. Thus, the lawyers go out and try and find a David-and-Goliath lawsuit (in other words, one where they're representing a little guy who's supposedly being harmed by a big company or group.) Because all normal trials go before a civilian jury, the jury tends to favor the little guy, and they tend to hand over huge cash settlements. Eliminate contingency fees, and the lawyers will stop hunting for bullshit cases. The added advantage is that this would lessen the legal pressures placed upon common lawsuit targets, like teachers and doctors.
- Create Medical Tribunals: Another idea to cut down on excessive lawsuits. Have malpractice suits go before a jury of actual doctors. As mentioned above, when a trial goes before a jury made up of civilians, it becomes too easy for a lawyer to exaggerate his client's case, because the civilians don't know enough about medicine to make an informed decision. So have a jury of doctors hear the case, and the lawyers will be more hesitant about accepting dubious cases.
Got a few more ideas, though:
- Outlaw Contingency Fees: Know why our courthouses are getting filled with stupid lawsuits? It's because in this country, lawyers are allowed to charge a contingency fee, which entitles them to a portion of whatever their clients win in a lawsuit. Thus, the lawyers go out and try and find a David-and-Goliath lawsuit (in other words, one where they're representing a little guy who's supposedly being harmed by a big company or group.) Because all normal trials go before a civilian jury, the jury tends to favor the little guy, and they tend to hand over huge cash settlements. Eliminate contingency fees, and the lawyers will stop hunting for bullshit cases. The added advantage is that this would lessen the legal pressures placed upon common lawsuit targets, like teachers and doctors.
- Create Medical Tribunals: Another idea to cut down on excessive lawsuits. Have malpractice suits go before a jury of actual doctors. As mentioned above, when a trial goes before a jury made up of civilians, it becomes too easy for a lawyer to exaggerate his client's case, because the civilians don't know enough about medicine to make an informed decision. So have a jury of doctors hear the case, and the lawyers will be more hesitant about accepting dubious cases.