Mississippi was
known as "the home of Jackpot Justice", "Ground Zero",
"Dumping Ground", and "the Lawsuit Mecca".
Mississippians
for Economic Progress (MFEP) was founded in September
2001 as a non-profit organization
to research, educate the public,
and introduce legislation to get meaningful tort reform
passed in the state. MFEP is committed to
fairness and balance in our legal system and has united
hundreds of members including professional, trade, and
medical associations, businesses, and countless
Mississippians to foster economic progress by promoting a
fair legal system. Mississippi courts should not be the
private arenas for greedy personal injury attorneys. Courts
must once again become a place of justice for all citizens.
When businesses consider the added-on operating costs
associated with runaway litigation, companies must consider
if it is wise to add new investments when they could become
a victim of lawsuit abuse. Our members play a key role in
the push for tort reform. Countless doctors, business
people, hospital administrators, and individuals put forth
incredible efforts. Their efforts are key because this
level of activity demonstrates that tort reform is a concept
that is understood and supported.
MFEP had some
success during the
2002 special session but
not without a tremendous fight. On August 7, 2002, MFEP
sponsored
President George W. Bush's visit to Madison
Central High School. Medical malpractice reform and
frivolous lawsuits were key points during his speech. This
was an incredible moment and had a tremendous impact. Not
only did this bring more attention to tort reform issues,
but that attention was focused on Mississippi. MFEP had
more success during the
2004 special session
with the passage of House Bill 13, now known as the
Tort Reform Law. Again, we had to overcome enormous
obstacles.
Mississippi's new
tort reform laws have been called the "blueprint"
for future
successes across the United States.
The American Tort
Reform Association (ATRA) stated that Mississippi has
transformed its litigation environment for the better making
it
the
brightest "point of light" in their 2004
Judicial Hellhole® report.
In ATRA's 2005
Judicial Hellhole® report, they stated that Mississippi has
been transformed from the jackpot justice capital of
America to
America's number one reformer.
The US Tort
Liability Index states that
Mississippi is first in frivolous-lawsuit reform, venue
reform and the standard for expert witnesses.
MFEP was honored
to receive the
2004 Outstanding Legal Reform Organization award.
MFEP continues to fine tune our
legislation, protect our new laws, promote additional
reforms for a healthier legal climate, and monitor the
rulings and opinions of our state Supreme Court as well as
the U. S. Supreme Court.
Fighting lawsuit abuse is a perpetual campaign.
Mississippi is now open for business because of our
comprehensive new laws. Without a fair legal system, our
working families, our medical community, our new and
existing businesses, and the future of our state's economy
would be in jeopardy. MFEP stands as the leader in the
state, uniting the business and medical community, to
safeguard these reforms and continue the fight for fairness
and balance in our legal system.
