MISSOURI IS NO “HELLHOLE”
Yet another reason to remain vigilant as we enter a new era of leadership. Missouri is no “hellhole” as sent out by MATA on Friday, January 13, 2017:
I suspect you’re familiar with Missouri’s ranking on the most recent “judicial hellholes” report from the American Tort Reform Association. MATA responded when they released it in December, but with the Missouri Chamber anchoring many of its legislative initiatives to the report, we doubt we’ve seen or heard the last of it. Please have a look at the info below. Additionally, We have attached a memo from the Center for Justice & Democracy at New York Law School that debunks the report.
Trial Attorneys predict fake report will be touted as proof civil justice reforms needed
A report released last month depicting St. Louis and Missouri as a “judicial hellhole” is once again being touted as justification for damaging changes to the civil justice system that will make it cheaper and easier to harm or kill Missouri citizens.
In the age of “fake news,” The Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys is calling out The American Tort Reform Association for publishing the pseudo study they’ve trademarked as “Judicial Hellholes.”
In fact, ATRA’s attempt to pass this rigged report off to legitimate news outlets as evidence that Missouri’s civil justice system is harming business would be laughable if the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform weren’t hanging their legislative agendas on its false narratives.
Says MATA President Jay Benson, of Kirksville:
- The report’s only goal is to create panic among legislators and induce them to act against the well-being of the citizens they serve.
- For any lawmaker to fall for it and act on this information is counter-intuitive to the oath they’ve taken to uphold the Missouri Constitution, which clearly spells out that “the right to trial by jury shall remain inviolate.”
- Promoting a fake ranking that isn’t based on research into actual conditions in the courts is absurd.
- The Chamber and the ILR tying their legislative initiatives to this transparently fake study should frighten Missourians. The Chamber’s goals for making Missouri’s business climate better for employers shouldn’t come at the expense of worker, consumer or patient safety.
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Founded in 1951, MATA represents 1,300 trial lawyers who are dedicated to protecting the civil justice system and the right to trial by jury, safeguarding victims’ rights, promoting injury prevention, and disclosing information crucial to public health and safety