WV moving forward with reforms; more work still remains. 

In recent years, West Virginia has taken some significant steps towards reforming its broken civil justice system.

  • In 2008, the West Virginia Legislature finally made an effort to rein in the abusive practices of Attorney General Darrell McGraw.  The new law, which requires McGraw to inform state leaders before settling any lawsuits, is a positive first step towards restoring fairness in the Attorney General’s office.  We hope additional “Sunshine” reforms are soon to follows.
  • When lawsuits were driving local doctors out-of-state, the West Virginia legislature responded by enacting sweeping medical liability reforms.
  • Recent legislation has also helped ensure that certain individuals won’t be held responsible for damages caused by others.
  • And common-sense reforms to “third party bad faith” lawsuits have reduced consumer costs of owning a car or house.

However, West Virginia’s work is far from complete.  Many aspects of the state’s legal system are still broken.

  • A recent decision by the state Supreme Court has once again opened our courtrooms to out-of-state plaintiffs seeking jackpot justice.
  • Some people can still be held liable for the damages caused by others.
  • Attorney General Darrell McGraw has made a habit of hiring his campaign contributing personal injury lawyer friends to lucrative legal deals.
  • Personal injury lawyers, seeking millions in profits, have established lawsuit mills based on questionable “expert” testimony.  In one such case, a personal injury firm relied upon testimony of a doctor who didn’t even exist!

Clearly, more work must be done to ensure fairness for all West Virginians.