The battle over Senate Bill 30 quietly ended as the bill died over the weekend. Lawmakers failed to agree on final language of the bill before the deadline. SB 30, which was the brainchild of the insurance industry and those closely tied to the industry aimed to place harsh limitations on a personal injury lawsuit, which heavily favored the insurance industry. Many lawmakers on both sides of the aisle saw this as an improper attempt to over-legislate and supersede the judiciary. It is well established that damages must be supported by proper evidence. This bedrock principal is already enforced by trial courts, appellate courts, and the Supreme Court of Texas. The limits and changes purposed by the insurance industry sought to circumvent justice, but has been thwarted – for now. Accidents and tragedies are unexpected and can be life changing. A personal injury settlement is there to help all Texans cope and adjust to life after an accident.
Our Thoughts on Senate Bill 30
Senate Bill 30 was simply an attempt to codify “people over profits.” This bill was heavily promoted by Texans for Lawsuit Reform, which is an organization run by insurance companies, trucking companies, real estate companies, and other big businesses – not average Texans. This bill sought to reduce the liability of those who hurt Texans to a point that judgments against them would be limited to low amounts that can be viewed as the cost of doing business. The bill also improperly sought to restrict access to medical care for injured individuals by putting undue burden on medical providers willing to treat Texans who are injured. The right to a jury trial is a constitutional right that all Texans have. These big companies sought to restrict this right with this legislation that’s solely supported by those who receive benefit from these companies. This bill hinged on the lie that insurance companies would reduce rates, which they never do. They will continue their record-setting profits as seriously injured Texans and their families are left with scraps. Fortunately, this bill failed, but it was very close to passing.
The insurance industry’s net income was $169 billion last year, a 90% increase from the prior year. These funds did not come from protecting Texans; the opposite is true. They only care about profits and minimizing their risk when somebody gets injured or killed.
"There are several other laws that were passed that are all directed at lower income families and minorities. This is the power these insurance companies hold and that’s why it’s so important to be educated on what these laws mean. “Tort reform” is terrible for anybody that’s not making $169 billion in profits every year."
"It's common knowledge that insurance companies fail to treat people fairly – why should we let them influence our laws? A jury of peers is the proper entity to determine what an injured person’s damages are – not the entity responsible for paying such damages."
