Alabama is Ripe for Reform

Prior to this year’s election, Alabama Voters Against Lawsuit Abuse (AVALA) sent questionnaires to Governor-elect Robert Bentley and Attorney General-elect Luther Strange regarding their beliefs on our civil courts. While the other candidates in their respective races failed to reply, Bentley and Strange both indicated that they support the types of reforms that Alabama needs.

Bentley and Strange said they would favor laws to: place reasonable limits on product liability and mental anguish awards, among others. They agreed to support strong laws to suppress barratry (ambulance chasing). Both men said strong, fair tort laws are necessary to Alabama's economic vitality and growth. They said they would revisit tort reform statutes passed by the 1987 Alabama Legislature but overturned by an activist state Supreme Court. They strongly advocate reforms of medical malpractice suits:  Strange said he would work to come up with fair statutes, and Bentley favors a panel of experts from the legal and medical fields to review malpractice cases and determine which are worthy of going to court.

This year’s elections were a step in the "right" direction for our state. Now let’s see what happens.