West Virginia Lawmakers Clear Legal Reform Compromise
The West Virginia Republican-led Legislature has cleared a legal reform proposal compromise.
House delegates voted 63-33 March 14 for deliberate intent legal protection changes. When a known unsafe working condition hurts or kills someone, the lawsuits are available, in addition to workers’ compensation claims.
The Senate passed it previously.
The new version focused mainly on defining serious injuries in the lawsuits. The West Virginia Association for Justice blasted the original bill, but called the amended one a compromise.
The association and many Democrats said the original would have made the burden of proof so high that wrongdoing companies and executives could more easily avoid lawsuits. Several delegates mentioned mine disasters, including the 2010 Upper Big Branch Mine explosion that killed 29 men.
Some Democrats still thought the new version created unnecessary hurdles.
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