Disgusting Windfall
for Tort Lawyers
In Tobacco Bill

6--10--1998

The "Tobacco Bill" that Congress is wrestling with resulted in a courageous attempt by a number of congressmen to limit the obscene fees that are plotted by plaintiffs' attorneys. Unfortunately, the public mostly missed this important battle and is unaware of the scandal brewing if the bill passes.

It may be well and good to sock it to the tobacco companies monetarily for all the damage they have deliberately done to the health of Americans and others all over the world. Tobacco has been a scourge against mankind for over two centuries, and financial penalty is probably about as much as will ever result - if even that gets done, because no one knows if the bill will yet pass.

But the point of the amendment that some great and courageous representatives attached was to limit the fees that tort lawyers can collect if the bill passes to $250 per hour for their time. That rate is more than fair and generous. As the congressmen pointed out in the debate over the amendment, doctors' rates are figured nationally at $90, the highest example presented among many that were listed.

The real scandal is that the mass tort lawyers, as soon as they get a sniff of possible action, immediately go into a frenzy looking for clients. Real concern for the clients is not very likely, but their aim is simply to get as many signed up as possible so that when judgments are rendered (or in this case the fines are agreed upon through legislation), they can justify collecting as much as possible for their "clients." The tort bar did just that in the case of the Tobacco Bill, in spades.

As the representatives pointed out, numerous lawyer-millionaires are scheduled to result from the bill if their amendment failed. In fact in Texas, a half-dozen or so billionaires will be created if the bill passes with no limitations stipulated.

Unfortunately for the American people, a number of attorney-congressmen and other supporters of lawyers in Congress defeated the amendment. Another outrage and insult will result: a windfall for lawyers at the expense of the people.