Medical Malpractice Reform Advocates Urge Action Now

Linda Moss | NJ Spotlight

Citing New Jersey’s ‘doctor drain’ and a recent court ruling, proponents lobby hard for legislation to limit lawsuits.

Expand Frivolous-Suit Screening Panels to Suits in Private Sector

Marcus Rayner • To the Editor, New Jersey Law Journal

In his July 19 article, “N.J. Bill Proposes Use of Screening Panels to Thwart Frivolous Suits Against Public Entities,” Michael Booth reviews S-2184 , introduced by Senators Cardinale and Sacco, which would set up a prelitigation screening panel of retired justices to determine whether a suit is frivolous or filed in bad faith before going to trial.

In 6 – 1 Decision, N.J. Supreme Court Guts Affidavit of Merit Statute

Plaintiffs’ attorneys are able to use experts from “outside the field” to testify against doctors in malpractice suits.

Small Businesses Pay 33% of Rising Tort Costs Out-of-Pocket

Insurance Journal

A new study from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce shows that small businesses shoulder a sizable burden of the nation’s tort liability costs, having paid $105.4 billion in 2008— a third of it out of their own pockets.

Legal costs are an issue for N.J. school budgets

By Marcus Rayner | New Jersey Newsroom

In recent months, school funding has been hotly debated by many sides. And the most infamous school litigation of the past two decades, Abbott vs. Burke, is routinely invoked as a major cost driver in education. Whether or not you support

Op-Ed: School legal costs are a killer

By Marcus Rayner | The Daily Record

Appeal Bond Cap on the table in New Jersey

John O’Brien • Legal Newsline

Legislation pending in New Jersey would limit the amount a losing party would have to post as a bond for its appeal to $50 million.

Testimony before the Assembly Appropriations Committee in support of A-2473, the Appeal Bond Cap

Marcus Rayner • Executive Director, NJLRA

NJLRA supports A-2473

Handlin, Rayner push to reform medical malpractice in N.J.

Andy Lagomarsino • New Jersey Newsroom

Marcus Rayner, executive director of the New Jersey Lawsuit Reform Alliance, and Assemblywoman Amy Handlin (R-13), a co-sponsor of A-1982 representing Monmouth County, released the following statement following last week’s Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee hearing, which posted the bill for discussion.