Dear Mr and Mrs. _

There are some very important political developments in the state and federal systems. These developments may affect your rights and the rights of all American citizens who seek relief through the civil justice system. The issues at stake are much too important to ignore.

Many major corporations and the insurance and medical industries are trying very hard right now to persuade Congress to pass new laws generally referred to as "Tort refrom". The term "tort" is a legal word for an injury or harm done to a person for which he or she may seek a civil remedy,i.e.,monetary damages. "Tort Reform" is the catch-phrase used by those who want to change many aspects of the civil justice system and make it much harder--if not impossible--for you and other citizens in your position tofile lawsuits and successfully obtain monetary compensation for serious injuries.

President Bush has long been a supporter of Tort Reform and is expected to sign any bill presented to him by Congress, making it the law of the land. Many states,Including Rhode Island,are considering similar measures. Among the current proposals are limits on the amount of money that can be obtained by a plaintiff such as yourself , significant changes in obtaining damages against multiple defendants,and severe limits on the time in which to file a lawsuit. Worse still , the federal laws would completely change and replace -- in one fell swoop--many state laws now in place which are favorable to you and other injured Americans.

You have probably heard about these issues on television and read about them in the newspapers. Do not be fooled by the accusations of "frivolous lawsuits" or "lawsuit abuse". The news reports only scratch the surface of what are complex legal and factual issues. The reports only mention the sensational cases and never indicate the ultimate outcome. Ad you know from your own experience,most personal injury claims do not have any merit and are not frivolous.

The corporate and insurance industry interests want the American public to believe Tort Reform is necesary in order to control insurance costs. It is not. The corporations,insurance industries and medical institutions simply are using this misinformation in an attempt to save themselves money in difficult economic times by limiting the consumers' rights. Importantly, a number of honest insurance executives have actually stated publicly that insurance rates will not fall even if lawsuit reforms are enacted. This is true because lawsuits are not the cause of the recent losses experienced by the insurance companies. Rather, insurance companies are now feeling the effects of their own poor investment choices,the faltering stock market and the economic insurance consequences of September 11,2001.

I am writing to ask for your help in this matter. Tort Reform is not necessary and will be harmful to your interests. Therefore,please contact any or all of your state and federal senators and representatives and tell them of your opposition to Tort Reform. Contact information can be easily obtained on the internet or in the phone book. A phone call,letter or e-mail will work and will only take a little of your time. The key factor is that lawmakers hear the stories of actual people in the community who will be harmed by tort reform.

I appreciate your time and attention. A number of consumer rights organizations,such as the Rhode Island Trial Lawyers Association, have been fighting hard against Tort reform. Eith the active involvement of people like you,we can defeat these new efforts to take away your legal rights.

__________________
' The quality of mercy is not strained ..
it droppeth like rain from the gentle heavens...'