50 YEARS AGO

No fault plan abandoned

The Legislature abandoned plans to pass a “nofault” motor vehicle accident insurance plan and assured the continuation of the existing car insurance system for another year. If passed, the law was to provide prompt payment of health related expenses and wage loss of those parties injured as a result of an auto accident. The Laverne bill, sponsored by Sen. Thomas W. Laverne, R-rochester, retained the unlimited right to sue for damages, while the Gordon bill, named for Sen. Bernard Gordon, R-peekskill, barred lawsuits for injuries not defined in its provisions as “serious.” The former had the backing of most senators as well as the indirect support of trial lawyers, who earned considerable income in automobile accident court cases. (The New York No-fault Law became effective Feb. 1, 1974.) —Times Union, May 12, 1972