State bar forms group to fight issue on ballot that limits non-economic damages on tort claims
The Arkansas Bar Association formed a ballot committee Friday opposing a proposed constitutional amendment to limit attorneys' fees and noneconomic damages in medical care lawsuits, the group said Friday.
The Fairness for Arkansans ballot committee was formed following a vote by the association's House of Delegates to oppose the measure. It is the second ballot committee set up to campaign against the measure ahead of the Nov. 8 general election. The other committee has received its support entirely from attorneys.
The proposed amendment -- which would limit attorneys' fees to one-third of damages in suits against medical care providers and require the Legislature to set a maximum cap of at least $250,000 for "pain and suffering" awards -- is supported by a contingent of nursing home and care facilities, doctors and pharmacists.
Groups set up to campaign for and against ballot measures must register with the Arkansas Ethics Commission and report their finances every month. On Friday evening, the Ethics Commission listed no documents for the Bar Association's ballot committee.
Read more: http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2016/aug/27/state-bar-forms-group-to-fight-issue-on/?f=news-politics