SB 29 (Laird) extends a COVID-era policy allowing extra-large payouts in personal injury suits.
Attorneys will get richer at the expense of nonprofits, local governments, & small businesses.
Trial Lawyer Double Dipping
When a person has been wrongly injured, they deserve just compensation. California has long provided unlimited damages and two separate lawsuits that can be brought by a deceased person’s estate and family members:
- Lawsuit #1 “survival” actions – unlimited compensatory and punitive damages
- Lawsuit #2 “wrongful death” actions – unlimited financial support, expenses, loss of companionship and more
SB 29 would lengthen a policy meant to address COVID court backlogs, providing even more unlimited survival action damages, pain-and-suffering damages, which could vastly increase payouts to attorneys whose cut is often 30-50%.
Massive Liabilities for Nonprofits and Local Governments
Nonprofits, the state, local governments, and businesses will be on the hook for huge damages awards. Every dollar spent on lawsuits is a dollar less for critical community services and programs.
With cities and counties already facing massive budget deficits and expensive lawsuits, SB 29 is a blank check locals can’t afford to have cashed.
An Unnecessary Trial Lawyer Cash Grab
Local governments, nonprofits, and businesses cannot afford to bankroll personal injury lawyers.
Say NO to the trial lawyer cash grab. Say NO to SB 29.
