Texans for Lawsuit Reform

Through political action, legal, academic and market research, and grassroots initiatives, TLR fights for common-sense reforms that keep Texas open for business.

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For the Record

Ambulance Chasing Our Veterans

Ambulance Chasing Our Veterans

Barratry—more commonly known as ambulance chasing—is one of the biggest challenges currently facing Texas’ legal system. Barratry has been illegal in the Lone Star State for decades. But that small technicality hasn’t stopped the practice from flourishing.

Whether lawyers are trolling emergency rooms for car accident clients, working superstore parking lots to recruit plaintiffs to sue for undiagnosed diseases from alleged asbestos exposure or going door-to-door in neighborhoods soliciting property owners to sue insurance companies for storm-caused property damage, ambulance chasing is a serious problem.

A recent poll showed that most Texans recognize the severity of the consequences of ambulance chasing. Sixty-seven percent of respondents agreed that personal injury trial lawyers exploit people injured in accidents and with illnesses for their own gain.

Where will we draw the line? What will it take to finally hold ambulance chasers accountable for breaking the law and taking advantage of our sick and injured neighbors?

The answer may be when they start messing with Texas veterans.

Many veterans serving in Iraq and Afghanistan were exposed to smoke from pits where garbage was burned. These burn pits were used to dispose of everything from food and medical waste to batteries and chemicals. Some veterans who have returned from service in Iraq and Afghanistan have linked their exposure to burn pit smoke to serious illnesses they have developed.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has set up a registry for veterans who believe they were affected by exposure to burn pit fumes, and the issue is the subject of Congressional hearings and proposed federal legislation. These efforts to analyze the problem are critical and must continue in order to determine the health effects of open burn pits and the healthcare options for veterans who suffer from exposure to the burn pits.

Unfortunately, personal injury trial lawyers have also become involved, with some law firms advertising for veteran clients to join class action lawsuits against military contractors.

Efforts to establish a state-based burn pit registry during the last legislative session failed in Texas. While the bill’s goal—to create a state resource for veterans to share information about their exposure to burn pits and subsequent illnesses—seems worthy on its face, TLR expressed concerns that the registry could become a recruiting tool for unscrupulous personal injury trial lawyers looking to make a buck off unsuspecting veterans. At a cost to the state of $3 million a year, taxpayers would be footing the bill to create a duplicate registry that would aid in the solicitation of clients by mass tort lawyers.

We all owe a debt of gratitude to the men and women of our armed forces. Texas can and should do all it can to ensure our service members receive all of the resources they need when they return home. We should also protect those service members from becoming the next target of ambulance chasing personal injury trial lawyers.

TLR has been in contact with the bill’s authors since the end of last session about our concern that a registry could be used for solicitation of veterans by plaintiffs’ lawyers. If the Legislature decides to move forward with a state registry, TLR has pledged to provide our resources in crafting a bill that allows a state registry to be used for official communications with veterans by state agencies and employees, while preventing solicitation by unscrupulous personal injury trial lawyers looking to take advantage of our veterans.

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Texans for Lawsuit Reform

10 hours ago

Texans for Lawsuit Reform

Texas is less safe, less prepared and less resilient in recovery without commercial vehicles. Stopping abusive lawsuits against them will make or break our ability to handle the next natural disaster our state faces. Read and share the latest TLR blog: bit.ly/301JNQl ... See MoreSee Less

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Disaster Preparedness, Response, Recovery

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The pandemic and recent winter storms have highlighted a stark reality: Commercial vehicles are essential for disaster preparedness, response and recovery. Whether they’re carrying life-saving medic...
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Texans for Lawsuit Reform

12 hours ago

Texans for Lawsuit Reform

Happy Texas Independence Day! ... See MoreSee Less

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Texans for Lawsuit Reform

1 day ago

Texans for Lawsuit Reform

Abusive lawsuits against commercial vehicles are hurting Texas jobs and businesses. Your lawmakers in the Texas Legislature need to hear from you. Ask them to support Senate Bill 17, Senate Bill 207, House Bill 19, and House Bill 1617. Take action: ow.ly/SDaD50DNgSb ... See MoreSee Less

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Write your Texas Lawmakers – Keep Texas Trucking Coalition

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Abusive lawsuits against commercial vehicles are hurting Texas jobs and businesses. Your representatives in the Texas Legislature need to hear from you. Ask them to support Senate Bill 17, Senate Bill...
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TLR has thousands of supporters across Texas who are committed to a fair and balanced civil justice system. Join our team today!

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Texans for Lawsuit Reform has thousands of supporters from across Texas who are committed to a fair and balanced civil justice system.

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TLR is working to make the Texas legal system fair, efficient and accessible for all. Learn more:

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TLR's objective is to restore litigation to its traditional and appropriate role in our society. A lawsuit takes a heavy emotional and financial toll ...

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lawsuitreform avatarTLR@lawsuitreform·
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Texas is less safe, less prepared & less resilient in recovery without commercial vehicles. Stopping abusive lawsuits against them will make or break our ability to handle the next natural disaster Texas faces. Read & RT the latest TLR blog: #tortreform

Disaster Preparedness, Response, Recovery

The pandemic and recent winter storms have highlighted a stark reality: Commercial vehicles are essential for disaster preparedness, response and reco...

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Texans for Lawsuit Reform
1701 Brun Street
Houston, Texas 77019

Ph. 713-963-9363
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