[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 2]
[House]
[Page 2376]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS HURT AMERICANS

  (Mr. SMITH of Texas asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, frivolous lawsuits bankrupt 
individuals, ruin reputations, drive up insurance premiums, increase 
health care costs and put a drag on the economy.
  For example, the chief executive officer of San Antonio's Methodist 
Children's Hospital was sued after he stepped into a patient's room and 
simply asked how he was doing.
  Of course, a jury cleared him of any wrongdoing. Today, almost any 
party can bring any suit in almost any jurisdiction. But there is a 
remedy: The Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act. It requires judges to issue 
sanctions, including reimbursement of attorney's fees when an attorney 
files a frivolous claim. This will make a lawyer think twice before 
filing a frivolous lawsuit.
  Also this legislation prevents forum shopping. It requires that 
personal injury claims be filed only where the plaintiff resides, where 
the injury occurred, or in the State or county where the defendant's 
principal place of business is located.
  The Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act is sensible reform that will help 
restore confidence in America's justice system.

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