Spreading the word.It would be comforting to believe that the ongoing debate in Congress over "reform" of the civil justice system is no more than distant background noise that has little to do with our day-to-day representation of clients. It would be comforting, but also dangerously unrealistic. What happens in Washington puts the rights of our clients across the country at risk. Special interests are pressing hard for the 108th Congress to limit civil justice remedies for people who have suffered catastrophic injuries at the hands of incompetent incompetent adj. 1) referring to a person who is not able to manage his/her affairs due to mental deficiency (lack of I.Q., deterioration, illness or psychosis) or sometimes physical disability. doctors, negligent negligent adj., adv. careless in not fulfilling responsibility. (See: negligence) hospitals, irresponsible nursing homes, and the manufacturers of defective drugs and devices. They want to restrict the ability of workers sickened by asbestos to seek full compensation. And they hope to force all class action litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation. into federal court, where long delays are inevitable and corporate wrongdoers enjoy far more advantages than they do in state court. Proponents of tort tort, in law, the violation of some duty clearly set by law, not by a specific agreement between two parties, as in breach of contract. When such a duty is breached, the injured party has the right to institute suit for compensatory damages. "reform" are emboldened em·bold·en tr.v. em·bold·ened, em·bold·en·ing, em·bold·ens To foster boldness or courage in; encourage. See Synonyms at encourage. Adj. 1. after last year's election sent to Washington a large contingent of lawmakers friendly to the insurance industry and other corporate interests. What they do now will affect your practice directly, even if you don't Even If You Don't is a single released by the band Ween in 2000 on Mushroom Records. Formats Enhanced CD single Includes the quicktime video of "Even If You Don't" directed by Matt Stone & Trey Parker of "South Park". handle medical malpractice Improper, unskilled, or negligent treatment of a patient by a physician, dentist, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care professional. , medical-related products liability, or mass tort A mass tort is a civil action involving numerous plaintiffs against one or a few corporate defendants in state or federal court. As the name implies a mass tort includes many plaintiffs and law firms have used the mass media to reach possible plaintiffs. cases. If they succeed, other injury victims will be next: Federal no-fault auto insurance legislation, for example, will rear its head yet again. ATLA ATLA Association of Trial Lawyers of America ATLA American Theological Library Association ATLA American Trial Lawyers Association ATLA Air Transport Licensing Authority (Hong Kong) ATLA Avatar: The Last Airbender is fighting all these battles harder than ever. Our association's mission is to protect our clients' rights and help us represent them more effectively. Our client newsletter program, through Newsletters, Ink, is a valuable tool to accomplish both of these goals. Communication with our clients can strengthen client relations, expand thriving and respected law practices, and convey ATLA's message to the public. A firm newsletter can educate clients and others in the community about consumer safety and our role in protecting people from injury and death. It is also an excellent way to alert clients to threats to their legal rights and motivate them to act. Send a newsletter Newsletters, Ink--one of several companies that have developed affinity programs with ATLA to offer valuable, reasonably priced products and services to members--produces customized, quarterly newsletters for distribution to clients, neighbors, local businesses, community leaders, and others on our mailing lists An automated e-mail system on the Internet, which is maintained by subject matter. There are thousands of such lists that reach millions of individuals and businesses. New users generally subscribe by sending an e-mail with the word "subscribe" in it and subsequently receive all new . A newsletter can prominently feature your firm's name and logo, and you can choose much of the content. You can select articles from a "library" supplied by ATLA or customize the newsletter with your own content--short features about your successful cases, new services your firm offers, consumer tips, or aspects of your practice that make it unique. When you combine information about your firm with education about the civil justice system and the need for political action to protect consumer rights, you serve up a powerful blend of information and advocacy. After you select the content, Newsletters, Ink, designs and prints the newsletter in your choice of two-color or full-color pages, and the company will mail it for you. For more information, visit ATLA's Web site at www.atla.org/ private/newsinc.aspx, or call (800) 379-5585 and mention code AT02S. Inspire action Legislation that would change the rules of civil justice endangers not only our clients' rights, but also core American values of fairness and accountability. We must seize every opportunity to send that message. Never underestimate the power of grassroots communication--or your power to inspire action. Talk to your clients, send them your newsletter, record their e-mail addresses See Internet address. e-mail address - electronic mail address so you can communicate with them electronically. (ATLA is also developing e-mail messages that you can forward to your clients.) Ask them to contact their elected representatives both in your state and in Washington to register their opposition to measures that would harm injured in·jure tr.v. in·jured, in·jur·ing, in·jures 1. To cause physical harm to; hurt. 2. To cause damage to; impair. 3. people and their families. Urge them to vote in future elections for political candidates who support civil justice. Our clients trust us to protect their interests, and that's exactly what we do--as individual trial lawyers and as an association. A grassroots effort to get the message out to the public through our clients is a powerful tool to protect the civil justice system. Your friend, Mary Alexander |
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