Snakes Alive
September 8, 2009
“Danger! Tort reform legislation effective November 1. File your lawsuits now!”
So writes the Oklahoma City law firm of Merritt & Associates in a recent email to … well, to whoever might want to file a frivolous case before tort reform legislation takes effect in Oklahoma. (hat tip to BixbyBulletin.com for uncovering the email)
I think I see a pit of sidewinders yonder out to make a killing. This isn’t about justice at all. It’s about lining their pockets with contingency fee dough. Maybe the Merritt laww firm should change it’s name to “No Merit and Associates.”
Oklahoma Representative Dan Sullivan called the email “an opportunistic attempt to get lawsuits on the books, regardless of their merit,” which is true of course. Rep. Sullivan, Senate leader Glenn Coffee and the State Chamber of Oklahoma were all recognized recently by the American Tort Reform Association for their roles in finally bringing tort reform across the goal line against the fierce defense of the state’s powerful trial bar. Which reminds me … BYU quarterback Max Hall, who engineered a late touchdown drive to defeat the highly-ranked Oklahoma Sooners, might want to stay away from the state until after November.
And anybody with a cup of hot coffee, now is your time to just sue somebody…so the personal injury lawyers can sleep at night.