One fact that has come about from "tort reform" has been the explosion of frivolous litigation defenses. In a nutshell, tort reform has given legs to the conduct by many insurance carriers and the representatives they employ calculated to do nothing but delay and raise the cost of a victim bringing a legitimate claim.
Frivolous defenses are seen each and every day in Houston and all across Texas. Insurance companies have been given free reign to delay, deny and run up the cost of litigation without consequences.
Additionally, and more importantly, frivolous defenses have served to radically run up the number of lawsuits that must be filed for a victim to get any kind of justice.
In effect, frivolous defenses have increased lawsuit filings by over 50% in Harris County. At least twice as many lawsuits get filed now by legitimate victims because of frivolous defenses and strategic choices to run up the cost of making a claim on the victim.
It is time that Texans said "no more".
It is time that Texas put families first and big insurance companies treat people fairly or face real consequences.
Do not let drunk drivers, criminals and irresponsible parties leave victims holding the bag and becoming victims all over again.
If defendants mount frivolous defenses and lose, Texas families need amendments to the tort reform act requiring defendants to pay for their frivolous lawsuit conduct and forcing victims to bring lawsuits just to be treated fairly.
Greg Baumgartner is a Houston lawyer and the founder of the Baumgartner law firm, which is dedicated to helping injury victims seek civil justice. For a free no obligation consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Houston call the Baumgartner firm.
