TortsProf Blog

Civil Litigation About James "Whitey" Bulger's Alleged Crimes Continues

In litigation that presents some good examples of the limits (or not) of third-party liability, families of some alleged victims of Boston mob boss James "Whitey" Bulger have been engaged in long-standing civil litigation against the FBI for their asserted failure to prevent Bulger and other informants from murdering their loved ones.  NPR's Morning Edition has an update on this morning's show.

--BC

Scales to Rutgers-Camden

Adam Scales, an expert in insurance as well as tort law, has joined the faculty at Rutgers-Camden.  The official announcement from Rutgers is here.

--CJR

WI Tort Reform Proposals

Gov. Walker called the Wisconsin State Legislature into session last week to focus on jobs.  Among other issues, four tort reform proposals will be introduced:

(1)  A bill requiring courts to consider certain factors in determining reasonable attorneys' fees;

(2)  A bill providing immunity for certain drug and device manufacturers based on preemption;

(3)  A bill preempting courts in WI from adopting R3's "flagrant trespasser" doctrine; and

(4)  A bill changing the interest rates on judgments in certain actions.

The State Bar of Wisconsin has the details.

--CJR

Tennessee Tort Reform Law Goes Into Effect

The Tennessee Civil Justice Reform Act, signed by the governor back in June, took effect on October 1st. The new law contains venue provisions, caps non-economic damages, and caps punitive damages. The same bill also contained the "Class Action Improvement Act of 2011," which would prohibit class actions under Tennessee's consumer fraud statute. A copy of the bill is available here: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/SB1522.pdf

- SBS