Month: June 2013

Civil Justice Reforms Move Forward

Posted on by Hamilton

Now that it has completed work on the 2013-15 budget bill, the Wisconsin Legislature will take a summer recess and will reconvene in September. Legislative committees will continue to hold public hearings and vote on individual bills.

For the Wisconsin Civil Justice Council (WCJC), the first portion of the 2013-14 legislative session has been very active and successful. Numerous bills supported by WCJC have received public hearings, passed the Assembly and await action in the Senate. We fully expect the Senate to pass these bills when the Legislature reconvenes in the fall.

Below is an update of bills of interest to WCJC. For more information on these bills, please visit WCJC’s website. Also, please contact Andy Cook or Bob Fassbender with any questions. Continue reading “Civil Justice Reforms Move Forward” →

Legislature Adopts Budget Provision Retroactively Applying Lead Paint Provisions

Posted on by Hamilton

In 2011, Gov. Scott Walker introduced and the Legislature passed the omnibus civil liability reform bill (2011 Wisconsin Act 2). One of Act 2’s provisions overturned the Thomas v. Mallet decision, which established the “risk contribution” theory in lead paint cases. The legislature is considering retroactively applying the Act 2 standard to all cases. Continue reading “Legislature Adopts Budget Provision Retroactively Applying Lead Paint Provisions” →

Lemon Law Reform Passes Assembly in Bi-Partisan Vote

Posted on by Hamilton

The Wisconsin Assembly voted 88-8 to enact long-needed changes to Wisconsin’s Lemon Law. AB 200 makes several significant changes to Wisconsin’s law, as outlined in this memo from the Wisconsin Civil Justice Council and other supporters, but paramount is the elimination of the punitive double damages mandate. Continue reading “Lemon Law Reform Passes Assembly in Bi-Partisan Vote” →