Oct 25 2011
New Documentary Hot Coffee Exposes Corporate Agenda on “Tort Reform”
In 2003 Texans lost the right to collect more than $250,000 in non-economic damages in medical malpractice suits. That cap on damages was ushered in on a wave of so-called tort-reform advocacy by medical and independent groups, and Governor Rick Perry. Proponents of the ballot initiative claimed high medical costs were directly related to frivolous malpractice lawsuits. Texans were largely convinced that pain and suffering not tallied on a hospital bill were exaggerated in trials, and that juries were manipulated into awarding exorbitant amounts to harmed patients. Governor Perry crusaded for the bill by equating a yes vote as, a “vote for your doctors and for affordable health care.” But earlier this month, the non-profit consumer advocacy group Public Citizen found health care spending has not dropped in Texas since the cap on damages was enacted in 2003. It has been on the rise. Premiums for private insurance in Texas have risen far faster than the national average, and so has medicare spending. The number of uninsured Texans has risen, and the number of primary care physicians per capita has plateaued. Rural communities have seen access to medical care decrease. The new documentary film Hot Coffee looks at, among other consequences of Tort Reform, limited damage awards like Texas’s and finds the only sure outcome is less money for victims of debilitating medical mistakes. The film’s title “Hot Coffee” references the much lampooned lawsuit 1994 by a woman burned by McDonalds coffee. It is a scathing expose of the nationwide campaign for so-called tort reform. Hot Coffee reveals the tort reform agenda is largely financed and pushed by the deep pocketed US Chamber of Commerce, and other industry associations, through astro-turf front groups. The film shows a justice system held hostage by damage caps, mandatory arbitration clauses, and a flood of corporate money buoying the campaign efforts of business friendly judges. Hot Coffee, by film maker Susan Saladoff, should be mandatory viewing for anyone who has ever signed a cell phone contract, relied on the legal system to remedy an injustice, or who doesn’t know the real story behind that spilled cup of hot coffee.
KPFK Funddrive Thank you Gifts:
Hot Coffee on DVD – $120
Uprising Fall 2011 4 G USB Memory Stick – $120
Hot Coffee Pack (includes Hot Coffee and Memory Stick) – $200
Call 818-985-5735 to make a pledge.
3 Responses to “New Documentary Hot Coffee Exposes Corporate Agenda on “Tort Reform””
Wow, two hundred dollars?
I’ve been telling folks that this case has been widely misconstrued by the “frivolous lawsuit” set for years and welcomed the idea of a documentary exposing the entire case and its conclusion.
Would love to be able to watch the video, but (unless I can win a suit soon) can’t afford it at these prices.
SBX211 Retro Active Immunity given to California judges for openly taking bribes. Judges are employees of the state they receive their pay and benefits from the state. The Los Angeles Superior court judges are currently receiving an additional $57.688,00 from the county of Los Angeles. there is no bigger user of the court than L.A. County (A party to the case and has a financial interest in most cases in the courts) Those payments were found to be unconstitutional / illegal in Sturgeon vs Los angeles County. After that decision the judges paid a lobbyist to pass SBX211 ( RETRO ACTIVE IMMUNITY )
SBX211 does not restore due process
SBX211 violates Article 1 section 9
SBX211 violates the 14th amendment (no equal protections)
SBX211 violate checks and balances between legislative and Judicial powers.
Judges do not disclose the county payments at the onset of any trial where the county is either a party to the case or has a financial interest. (Judges violate Judicial codes of ethics)
Judges refuse to recuse themselves when requested under CCP170
Judges find themselves unbiased and then file an order striking statement.
Not only do judges get paid a state salary of $178,789.00 a year with medical and retirement benefits up to 75% of their salary, with the county payments the Los Angeles Superior court judges are the highest paid judges in the Nation. Los Angeles County takes tax payer money and then gives the judges that money to only have the judges rule against the tax payer in favor of L.A. County or the County’s interest.
SBX211 is evidence of conspiracy of the California legislative branch of government to cover up the multiple felony’s committed by the Judicial branch of government. By an act of Legislation, California’s judicial branch has admitted to be corrupt.
SECTION FROM SBX211
This bill would provide that no governmental entity, or officer or employee of a governmental entity, shall incur any liability or be subject to prosecution or disciplinary action because of benefits provided to a judge under the official action of a governmental entity prior to the effective date of this bill on the ground that those benefits were not authorized under law.
I brought a law suit against the judge in my case for the loss of due process and the bias created by the county payments. I requested a judge that has never received the county payments and a demand for a jury trial. I was denied both. I sued the judge as an individual on the basis that the taking of a bribes was not in his official duties and therefor he is not entitled to the state representation and I stated that the judge could not here my case on the grounds that he has a personal interest on the grounds that my case revolved around the issue that SBX211 in unconstitutional, He had received that county payment and he would be able to find himself guilty for multiple felony offenses of taking bribes. ( he declared himself not biased and he denied my request and ruled in favor of the judges demurrer.)
Please help to bring the courts back to full constitutional compliance.
Tort Reform is a legal weapon used in Texas against Texans ever since Governor Rick Perry signed the 2003 Tort Reform Act. When there are laws on the books preventing the common man from getting justice, no telling what will happen.
Providing a link to a video showing the collateral damage left behind Tort Reform.
http://ww.youtube.com/watch?v=JT7rxa21_Xo
If link is not accessible, just Google Cleveland Mark Mitchell, then click on youtube Cleveland Mark Mitchell December 12 1950 – April 26 2008.
Thank you for your time.