Lawsuit reform measure advances to state House floor

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A state House panel approves a comprehensive lawsuit reform measure that supporters say will reduce frivolous lawsuits and cut litigation costs.<br/><br/>The House Judiciary Committee

Wednesday, March 8th 2006, 6:05 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A state House panel approves a comprehensive lawsuit reform measure that supporters say will reduce frivolous lawsuits and cut litigation costs.

The House Judiciary Committee passed the measure 7-to-3 on a straight party-line vote Tuesday. The bill goes to the full House.

A similar measure passed the state House and state Senate last year but became bogged down in a joint House-Senate conference committee, where it's still pending.

Among other things, the latest lawsuit reform bill would cap non-economic damages -- otherwise known as pain and suffering -- at 300-thousand dollars in all but wrongful death cases.

Opponents warn the bill will do little to cut costs and could actually delay justice for people with legitimate grievances.

Burns Flat state Representative Ryan McMullen says government should work to ensure that people take personal responsibility and corporations are held accountable when they injure people.