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.

  • About TLR
    • Our Mission
    • Our Team
    • Timeline of Reforms
  • Videos
  • Issues
  • Resource Center
    • Special Reports
    • In the News
    • Press Releases
    • The Advocate
    • TLR Blog: For the Record
  • Get Involved
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Invite a TLR Speaker
  • Donate
  • Stay Informed
For the Record

Friend of the Court

If you’ve been around the world of TLR for a while, you likely know by now that we are constantly studying how the lawsuit reforms that Texas has passed over the last 25 years are affecting our legal system, and in turn, the lives of Texans.

We speak regularly with attorneys and judges who work with these laws every day. Sometimes the legislation is applied in ways that were never intended by lawmakers. When this happens, as was the case this session with the SLAPP law, we work with stakeholders to find a legislative solution that clarifies the legislation and addresses the misuse of the law.

Other times, the reforms Texas passes are challenged in the course of litigation. When that happens, we stand ready to provide context and vigorously defend the intent and application of the legislation through amicus briefs.

Amicus curiae is Latin and literally translates to “friend of the court.” These briefs are provided by people who are not party to a lawsuit, but have an interest in its outcome. 

TLR has submitted many amicus briefs over the years, including in a lawsuit filed by storm-chasing lawyer Eric Dick after Hurricane Harvey. This cookie cutter lawsuit was filed 30 days after Hurricane Harvey made landfall, alleging the insurance company failed to pay the policyholder’s claim on time. Since September 2017, Dick has filed about 40 other such lawsuits against 30 insurance companies. 

As the brief notes, “the face of the Plaintiff’s pleading in this case shows that the date of loss was exactly 30 days before the date the lawsuit was filed… The defendant insurance company could not have violated the Texas Insurance Code’s prompt payment of claims statute in that amount of time, given that the statute gives the insurance company several weeks to acknowledge, investigate, and pay a claim before a statutory violation occurs.”

Additionally, the brief notes that House Bill 1774, which the Legislature passed in 2017 to shut down lawsuit abuses by storm-chasing lawyers, was designed specifically to address cases like this.

“…the new law (HB 1774) is designed to protect individuals from storm-chasing attorneys who seek to profit from their misfortune while, at the same time, leaving policyholders with substantial remedies against insurance companies that fail to pay claims on time and in full.”

Earlier this month, the Harris County trial court entered a judgment against Dick’s client in the case, finding that Dick had failed to show that the property damage he attributed to the storm was covered by the insurance policy.

Amicus briefs are just one way TLR fights to preserve the hard-won lawsuit reforms passed by the Texas Legislature. With strong legislative advocacy and public education, we are keeping up the fight to keep Texas as the national example of successful, common-sense lawsuit reforms.

Follow us on Facebook

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

Texans for Lawsuit Reform

3 days ago

Texans for Lawsuit Reform

A great turnout at our 88th Legislative Session Lunch & Learn today! Thanks to all the legislative staffers who joined us to hear about TLR’s agenda this session. ... See MoreSee Less

A  great turnout at our 88th Legislative Session Lunch & Learn today! Thanks to all the legislative staffers who joined us to hear about TLR’s agenda this session.Image attachment
View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email

  • Likes: 2
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

Texans for Lawsuit Reform

3 days ago

Texans for Lawsuit Reform

In case you missed it: Check out the TLR Advocate to read our top priorities for the 88th legislative session, guest columns, and an update on the expanding TLR team. Read and share: bit.ly/3ZHdEva ... See MoreSee Less

In case you missed it: Check out the TLR Advocate to read our top priorities for the 88th legislative session, guest columns, and an update on the expanding TLR team. Read and share: https://bit.ly/3ZHdEva
View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email

  • Likes: 0
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

Texans for Lawsuit Reform

4 days ago

Texans for Lawsuit Reform

Public nuisance lawsuits have expanded beyond their traditional use into a way to regulate through litigation. TLR is dedicated to preventing the public nuisance doctrine from becoming a catch-all cause of action used to impose one person’s political views on society as a whole. Read and share: bit.ly/3ZHdEva ... See MoreSee Less

Public nuisance lawsuits have expanded beyond their traditional use into a way to regulate through litigation. TLR is dedicated to preventing the public nuisance doctrine from becoming a catch-all cause of action used to impose one person’s political views on society as a whole. Read and share: https://bit.ly/3ZHdEva
View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email

  • Likes: 0
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook


Follow us on Twitter

lawsuitreform avatarTLR@lawsuitreform·
3 Feb 1621598756633288707

A great turnout at our 88th Legislative Session Lunch & Learn today! Thanks to all the legislative staffers who joined us to hear about TLR’s agenda this session. #txlege

Twitter feed video.
Image for the Tweet beginning: A  great turnout at
Twitter feed video.
Image for the Tweet beginning: A  great turnout at
Reply on Twitter 1621598756633288707Retweet on Twitter 1621598756633288707Like on Twitter 16215987566332887071Twitter 1621598756633288707
lawsuitreform avatarTLR@lawsuitreform·
3 Feb 1621539669228879873

#ICYMI: Check out the TLR Advocate to read our top priorities for the 88th legislative session, guest columns, and an update on the expanding TLR team. Read and share: https://bit.ly/3ZHdEva

Twitter feed video.
Image for the Tweet beginning: #ICYMI: Check out the TLR
Reply on Twitter 1621539669228879873Retweet on Twitter 1621539669228879873Like on Twitter 1621539669228879873Twitter 1621539669228879873
lawsuitreform avatarTLR@lawsuitreform·
2 Feb 1621267523164426242

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

TLR at a Glance

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 ...

bit.ly

Reply on Twitter 1621267523164426242Retweet on Twitter 1621267523164426242Like on Twitter 16212675231644262421Twitter 1621267523164426242

Texans for Lawsuit Reform
1701 Brun Street
Houston, Texas 77019

Ph. 713-963-9363
  • About TLR
  • Our Mission
  • Our Team
  • Timeline of Reforms
  • Videos
  • Issues
  • Resource Center
  • For the Record
  • Special Reports
  • In the News
  • Press Releases
  • Invite a TLR Speaker
  • Get Involved
  • Invite a TLR Speaker
  • Donate
  • Stay Informed
  • Contact TLR

Copyright © 2023 · Texans for Lawsuit Reform. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Texans for Lawsuit Reform.
All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy