Oh, nonsense. If Proposition 202 passes, consumers will have the same aggressive legal representation as now. It'll just cost less. That means more money in victims' pockets, less for personal injury lawyers.
So lawyers are spending millions to defeat this. Candace Lightner is just wrong on this issue. Harvey Rosenfield, previously funded by personal injury lawyers, is a lawyer who charges $295 an hour.
Proposition 202 simply limits legal fees WHEN A PROMPT SETTLEMENT OFFER IS MADE. If no offer is made, nothing changes. If an offer is made but it's too low, then you can pay your lawyer whatever you want on the extra money he gets you.
I worked for Public Citizen, the consumer group founded by Ralph Nader. I support Proposition 202 because it protects consumers. When a powerful industry hurt consumers, we tried to stop the abuse. Well, personal injury lawyers are one of the most powerful groups in America and THEY'RE taking advantage of consumers.
I helped write Proposition 202 because personal injury lawyers are ripping us off. If a lawyer takes a few hours to write a letter demanding $100,000 for your injury, and the wrongdoer agrees to pay, why should the lawyer take $33,000? Proposition 202 would limit him to $15,000. Isn't that enough for writing a letter?
For the lawyers, the system's great. They'll say anything to keep it the way it is. But what about the victims?
MICHAEL JOHNSON
Policy Director, Voter Revolt to Cut Insurance Rates