Amid today's economic storm, our lawmakers should be applauded for an overlooked accomplishment. During the 2009 legislative session, they stood up to a major interest group — personal-injury lawyers — and passed an important workers' compensation law that protects jobs, rather than attorneys' fees.
By passing this law, the state Legislature helped to protect Florida's small-business community by ensuring that insurance rates remain low — a key to keeping jobs in our state — and that the buck is not passed along to the consumer.
The Pacific Research Institute ranks Florida as one of the worst states for legal fairness in the country. But the workers' compensation law is a common-sense step in the right direction.
More legal reforms are needed, but our lawmakers made a great effort during a tough legislative session to help diminish lawsuit abuse, promote job growth and restore confidence to all Floridians.
Carlos Muhletaler Executive Director, Florida Stop Lawsuit Abuse
