Local government lawsuits cost taxpayers $20 million
Local government lawsuits cost taxpayers $20 million
Frivolous Lawsuits and Class Action Lawsuits
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Most recent one picked up off the web...
Local government lawsuits cost taxpayers $20 million
Frivolous lawsuits, settlements and extra legal help for local governments have cost Orange County taxpayers more than $20 million over the last two years, according to a report from Orange County Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse.
The Corona del Mar-based group, headed by Maryann Maloney, advocates reform of the legal system and limits on the ability to file frivolous suits. Its recent analysis, released last week, examined city and county budget information and cases mentioned in news reports from the state's four largest counties.
In 2006, Orange County government spent $8.7 million on verdicts and settlements and $3.3 million hiring additional legal counsel to handle lawsuits. In a specific Newport Beach case the report cited, a woman who fell on the sidewalk while rollerblading filed a claim against the city.
She asked for $30,210 to cover her medical bills and the "pain and suffering" of worrying about an increased risk of breast cancer.
"These funds could be going to much more important things, such as sheriffs and emergency personnel," Maloney said in a prepared statement.
-- Alicia Robinson
Pursuant to Title 17 U.S.C. 107, other copyrighted work is provided for educational purposes, research, critical comment, or debate without profit or payment. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for your own purposes beyond the 'fair use' exception, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Views are those of authors and not necessarily those of Canada Free Press. Content is Copyright 1997-2024 the individual authors. Site Copyright 1997-2024 Canada Free Press.Com Privacy Statement