CHAPTER 22 ACTIVITY
Basic Concepts
Name,
Law and Society!
LP 9 Day 18
STREET LAW
A Course in Practical La
Directions: Read the statements below and then place the number of each statement in
the category below where it belongs: (A) argument for tort reform, (B) ways to reform the
tort system through changing the settlement process, (C) ways to reform the tort system
through changing the process or the outcome, or (D) arguments against tort reform.
1. The amount of time that a plaintiff has to file a lawsuit is shortened.
2. No-fault insurance eliminates the need for civil suits in certain cases.
3. Judges now can easily dismiss frivolous cases or order the plaintiff to pay defendant's legal fees.
4. Judges inquire whether parties have attempted to settle.
5. Tort law is so complicated that it can be difficult to determine who is at fault.
6. The law requires the losing party to pay the other side's legal expenses.
7. Media distorts what is true about tort cases; the typical jury award in tort suits is about $30,000.
8. The tort system encourages careful product development and testing, as well as proper
training supervision.
9. The amount of money awarded in tort suits is too high.
10. The injured party should sometimes get compensation for a loss, regardless of whether the
other party is at fault.
11. The tort system provides a strong incentive to produce safe products and deliver safe services.
12. The law limits the amount that can be awarded for punitive damages and for pain and suffering.
13. Civil courts take too long to resolve disputes.
14. Judges send parties to mediation in an attempt to settle.
15. Going to court is too expensive; lawyers get too much of the money awarded.
16. The law should not try to fix a system that is not broken.
A. These statements provide an argument for tort reform:
B. These statements provide a possible way to reform tort law through changing the settlement
process:
C. These statements provide a possible way to reform tort law through changing the process or
the outcome of tort cases: .
b. These statements provide an argument against tort reform: