Oklahoma Lawmakers Forge Agreement on Lawsuit Reform Package

Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee and House Speaker Chris Benge have announced that a compromise has been reached on a long sought comprehensive lawsuit reform package for the state.

Coffee and Benge and their representatives have been in discussions with representatives of the trial bar and mineral owners for several weeks, and a framework of agreement has been reached on a wide array of issues. Final language will be drafted, and the legislation will go to the House for approval, then to the Senate.

The agreement is multi-faceted, including several key components of reform aimed at improving health care access to all Oklahomans, as well as protecting the health and viability of small business’ in the state.

Some of the major reforms agreed upon in the 2009 Oklahoma Lawsuit Reform Agreement include:

Class action reforms as set out below:

Appeal Bond Cap – $25 million and no appeal bond required on punitive damage appeals

Joint & Several Liability

Cap on Non-Economic Damages

For a more complete list of agreed upon components of the legislation see the Web site of the Oklahoma Legislature, www.lsb.state.ok.us.

Source: Oklahoma Legislature