Wisconsin Governor Signs Lawsuit Reform Measure

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has signed a bill that will dramatically rewrite Wisconsin’s civil litigation rules. The bill makes it harder to sue businesses by setting new standards for expert testimony and burdens of proof. It also lays out a cap on punitive damages.

Republicans and businesses have been pushing for reform since 2005, when the state Supreme Court ruled that lead paint manufacturers could be held liable for injuries a Milwaukee boy suffered, even though the boy couldn’t prove which companies may have sickened him.

Opponents say the bill will make it tougher for consumers to hold bad corporate actors accountable. But Walker, a Republican, says the bill shows his administration and his fellow Republicans are moving swiftly to improve the state’s business climate.

The Assembly passed the bill on a partisan vote 57-36 on Jan. 20, two days after it cleared the Senate also with no Democratic backing. Republicans rejected numerous attempts by Democrats to alter the bill. Democrats and other critics say the measure has unintended consequences and will make it harder for consumers to hold businesses accountable.