In the News

A recent survey of Texas doctors finds concern in the medical community over ads from personal injury lawyers trying to recruit patients to join medical lawsuits.

An opinion piece issued by Alex Winslow of Texas Watch entitled “Spin-doctoring by doctors” (Dec. 1) is making its way around the state. The op/ed makes the absurd and easily refutable claim that “growth in (the number of Texas) physicians tracks population increases.”

Linda McKenna is absolutely right (“Perry bid elevates lawsuit reform,” Commentary, Sept.15), and we in Louisiana present a stark comparison to our neighbors to the west.

If there weren’t already enough reasons to follow the admonition, “Don’t mess with Texas,” here’s one more: Do it frivolously, and it could cost you.

The Texas House on Monday approved a watered-down version of “loser pays” legislation that seeks to add financial penalties for filing frivolous lawsuits.

Texas’ top judge called Tuesday for a sweeping top-to-bottom review of the state courts system, suggesting that changes need to be made in the complex patchwork of justice.

Have insurance companies in Texas suddenly become less greedy? Last week Texas Medical Liability Trust, the state’s largest provider of liability insurance to Texas physicians, announced a $48 million liability cost reduction. Coming on top of three earlier cuts, this is believed to be the largest single-year saving ever offered by a U.S. physician carrier. TMLT is not alone. In the last three years every major carrier in Texas has cut its rates, most by double-digits.

For five months every two years, Texans get the chance to actually see if their legislators are true to the principles and promises made in their campaigns. But those who oppose the promises made by these elected public officials, and whose candidates lost their elections, often wage misinformation campaigns to intimidate legislators from making good on their campaign commitments.

As a trial lawyer who makes his living in the courtroom, I know and appreciate the sacrifice made by the people in the jury box.

When judges run for office, law firms open their checkbooks. The legal industry has spent more than any other business sector on appellate court campaigns, contributing $75.4 million, or 30% of direct contributions to those races over the past 10 years. Seven of the top 10 donor firms on our list are headquartered or have most of their attorneys in Texas, and nine have donated the bulk of their contributions to judges there.