DJP Update 10-10-2006 Tort Reform Texas Style - ABA Journal cover 
article October 2006

Don't miss this article featured as the cover story in the October 2006 issue of the American Bar Association Journal.
See pages 30-36.  Title: Tort Reform - Texas Style

We know from multiple sources in the press that the medical liability insurance companies in Texas have dropped premiums significantly in 
Texas and now we have an ABA article documenting other effects.

Some quotes from the story:

A plaintiff attorney states: "My income has dropped to probably 10 percent of what I made in 2003."

Another attorney, a former president of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association states: "And it noticeable hit the defense side hardest 
first.  Their practices are drying up."

On page 33: "The number of medical -malpractice cases filed there in 2005 was down 41 percent from the average number of filings during 
the six years before 2003.

Pages 33-34: "Texas' net gain of more than 4000 physicians since tort reforms were enacted in 2003..."  "More significant is the 44 percent 
increase in physician licensure applications in just the past year..."
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DJP comment:  More evidence of the beneficial effects of common-sense medical liability reform.  The great advantage in Texas is the change 
in the state constitution which eliminates the possibility of the state supreme court overturning the caps on non-economic damages in medical liability cases.  Common sense reforms keep doctors in practice and enhance patient access to care in emergencies.

Donald J. Palmisano, MD, JD
DJP@intrepidresources.com
www.intrepidresources.com