From the July, 2012 Issue of Cabling Installation & Maintenance Magazine
Concerning the article "A legal perspective on contractor liabilities" in your April issue [which was subtitled "Tort and product-risk attorney provides information about the legal pitfalls of installing noncompliant cable"], I was reminded by an old friend, "You can sue the bishop for bastardy. Heck, you can sue almost anyone for virtually anything."
In the United States, remedies for perceived ill or injustice (such as post-installation complications) are commonly pursued through the legal system. People in the United States are probably more inclined than people in other countries to file lawsuits against contractors or suppliers when outcomes are poor or do not meet expectations.
The annual ranking is based on the U.S. Tort Liability Index: 2010 Report recently released by the Pacific Research Institute, with further analysis and commentary from the Foundation for Fair Civil Justice (FFCJ). FFCJ said the 10 most litigious states are New Jersey, New York, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Montana, Michigan, Connecticut and California.
"This report from the Foundation for Fair Civil Justice regarding the state of tort litigation across America is particularly important to board directors," said Jeff Cunningham, chairman, chief executive officer and editorial director of Directorship. "Business is being charged and litigated ruthlessly, often without merit. We would do well to heed the warnings of Steve Hantler and his team at the FFCJ that our future economic prospects may indeed be in jeopardy, particularly in those states with the most litigious environments."
The FFCJ's full report can be accessed at www.directorship.com or www.foundationforfairciviljustice.org.
Frank Bisbee
Editor, Heard on the Street
www.wireville.com
