Tort Reform?
Are caps on damages, attorney fees needed?
It’s been 15 years since Texas lawmakers passed tort reform legislation, capping non-economic monetary damages on medical malpractice lawsuits. Since then supporters say it has helped the medical profession by cutting insurance rates. Opponents say it protects the medical community at the expense of legitimate victims of malpractice.
In November, Arkansas voters will decide whether to put a monetary cap on non-economic and punitive damage awards and attorney fees in lawsuits.
Proponents say arbitrary caps on possible damages and attorney fees are needed to take away the incentive for attorneys and their clients to pursue “frivolous” lawsuits. Foes say the caps will make it harder for innocent citizens to afford their day in court and that damages should be left for a jury to decide.
We want to know what you think. Are you in favor of capping potential damage awards and attorney fees? Or are you against the idea of arbitrary caps?
Send your response (50 words maximum) to opinion@texarkanagazette.com by Wednesday, Oct. 17. You can also mail your response to the Texarkana Gazette Friday Poll, at P.O. Box 621, Texarkana, TX 75504 or drop it off at our office, 101 E. Broad St, Texarkana, Ark. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number. We will print as many responses as we can in next Friday’s paper.
Last Week: High School Football?
Last week’s question was about whether tackle football is too dangerous for high school students. Is tackle football too risky for high school students? Or are the benefits worth the risks?
Should high school football continue? Yes, because its a tradition throughout America, especially here in Texas. Of course kids get hurt, some have died after a bad tackle. Not often, but it has happened. I believe it’s up to parents to either let their sons play, or not and I understand, many kids are not allowed to play because of their parents. Kids learn so much from a team effort sport, like football.—B.J., Texarkana, Texas
From www.facebook.com/texarkanagazette
I think if the schools provided better equipment, pads and helmets and more coaching things would be better. These kids play from the heart, and most coaches are just worried about that WIN. Teach our kids better … its not about winning but how you play the game … not just in high school but in middle school and little league sports as well.
What is Texas without football? Football has been around for a long time. It is no more dangerous than it was years ago. I had one injured in Jr high. So I don’t see why it should not stay in the schools I think it is important to kids growing up and I don’t even like football lol. But I believe in them doing some competition and team stuff.
There’s risk in everything next they’ll want farmers not to raise their kids in agriculture because it’s hard work bye bye FFA, no more band because they might trip and fall, no more cheer leaders because they could break a bone let’s take everything from the back road to the big city and get rid of it so the next generation can just be a bunch of addicts that don’t wanna get hurt. For me growing up playing football kept me out of an abusive home even if it were just a few hours but being with my team mates and their parents and seeing life could be different than what I was raised in gave me hope.
Yes, there is risk, but they could also get hurt or die in a car accident or swimming or just goofing off. They learn so much from teamwork, sportsmanship and like others have said it may be the only way for some to go to college.