Issues

Thank You - Fair Share Now Law!

Governor Corbett Signs Fair Share Act!
Once Again, Your Hard Work Results in Major Reform

For the second time this week, we’re pleased to share some great news with you: Governor Corbett yesterday signed into law the Fair Share Act!

Thanks so much for the grassroots action you took during the past few months in support of this bill. As you can see, it paid off.

The enactment of this commonsense legal reform legislation will go a long way toward reversing a growing national reputation for lawsuit abuse that has plagued the Commonwealth’s ability to foster business investment and job creation.

Most importantly - it will restore fairness to Pennsylvania’s legal system, which benefits all consumers, job creators, doctors, hospitals and local communities.

As you know, the Fair Share Act repeals the legal doctrine of joint and several liability. Under this flawed doctrine, a defendant named in a lawsuit can be held 100 percent responsible for monetary damages, even if that defendant is only minimally at fault (if really to blame at all) for the damage or injury caused.

This new law will keep trial lawyers from going after anyone they can find, no matter how minor the level of responsibility for causing an injury, just because they have the ability to pay.

Thanks to you, the Keystone State will now have "proportional liability," which means that damages in lawsuits are awarded based more on actual fault, rather than ability to pay, with some important exceptions – making Pennsylvania more attractive to job creators and more competitive in today’s global economy.

Once again, you have proven that we can make a difference. Your hard work has resulted in improvements to the state’s Unemployment Compensation system - and major reforms to its legal system.

Thank you your continued support and grassroots action in the fight to protect Pennsylvania jobs.