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San
Diego, CA -
The
day when all Americans make their annual pledge to lose weight, break bad
habits and exercise more is just around the corner. For 2002,
San Diego County
Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) is suggesting a few New Year's
resolutions all Americans should make to ensure the country's legal system
is used fairly for justice, and to benefit everyone.
Resolution
#1. Lose the bulk of lawsuit abuse in our courts. Our
courts are
already so overburdened that lawsuits can take an average of three years
or more to see the inside of a courtroom. Remember the lawsuit
filed by Boomer,
the dog, against the invisible fence company? Or the couple that filed a
suit against Black & Decker and Kellogg for a Pop Tart that caught on
fire after they left it unattended in a toaster? These kinds of
cases take
up valuable court time and resources that delay justice for consumers who
have legitimate cases.
Resolution
#2. Break the bad habit of allowing lawsuit abuse to enrich
lawyers
while jeopardizing jobs. In this waning economy, all of us are concerned
about our job security. We need to know that we can count on
our next
paycheck to support ourselves and our families. But frivolous
lawsuits are
costing companies -- our employers -- millions of dollars a year. These
lawsuits
jeopardize our financial and job security, because companies have to cut
costs - such as new hires, salary increases, health coverage, benefits,
and jobs -- to cover litigation fees and the ever growing cost of
liability insurance.
Resolution
#3. Exercise the right to serve on a jury. A
trial by a jury of our
peers is one of the most fundamental rights we enjoy as American citizens.
And with rights, come responsibilities. No matter what people need
to do that might seem more important, serving on a jury is
essential. Why is it so important? By providing our unique
perspectives -- as businessmen and women, parents, teachers and doctors --
we bring our own thoughts and interpretations, offering a greater chance
at finding the truth and giving both sides a fair trial. If you
were sued, wouldn't you want the most
qualified people on the jury panel?
Resolution
#4. Exercise your rights as a legal consumer.
Conflicts are inevitable,
but messy lawsuits do not have to be. Should you become involved
in a dispute, first seek resolution through meetings, letters, phones
calls or by a more formal moderating process -- mediation or arbitration.
(aka: Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). By seeking other opportunities
for resolving conflicts, you will most likely save precious time, money
and energy
However,
should legal remedies be necessary, be a
smart legal consumer by following
these tips:
Consumers
can find more information to help walk you through the legal process
at www.nfiblegal.org.
"2001
has been a year that has shaken us to our core, but our country and its
institutions stand stronger than ever," commented Andy Kotner,
President of San Diego CALA. "I hope that these
resolutions will help preserve the strength
of our legal institutions and the security of your family in the New
Year."
CALA
is a nonprofit, grassroots public education organization with more than 8,000
supporters in San Diego County.
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