Latest news with #tortreform
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The end of the 2025 Louisiana legislative session is approaching
We've seen many bills debated in the legislature. So far, Governor Jeff Landry has signed into law six bills from his tort and insurance reform effort, which he says will lower insurance rates.
Reuters
3 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Houston Trial Attorney Will Moye Secures $37.9 Million Verdict in Zero-Offer Case Against 3M, Just One Day After Helping Defeat Texas Tort Reform Bill
HOUSTON, TX, June 6, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- In a victory for Texas plaintiffs and community safety, Will Moye, opens new tab, founding attorney of Moye Law Firm, opens new tab secured a $37.9 million jury verdict Tuesday in a case where 3M offered nothing to settle. The win came just one day after Moye helped defeat Senate Bill 30, opens new tab (SB 30), a controversial tort reform measure, opens new tab aimed at capping civil jury awards and limiting Texans' access to full compensation. 'This was a week where truth prevailed at the Capitol and in the courtroom. We warned the legislature that SB 30 would silence victims and their families. And on Monday, that bill died. On Tuesday, a Harris County jury sent a $37.9 million message that justice still matters in Texas,' Moye said. Moye tried the case alongside Robert Kwok and Ryan Loya of Kwok Daniel, LLP. The jury found 3M and its subsidiary Teledyne Detcon responsible for selling and servicing a gas detection system that catastrophically failed during the January 2020 explosion at Watson Grinding and Manufacturing. The blast killed three people, injured many more, and destroyed hundreds of homes in Houston's Spring Branch neighborhood. Trial evidence showed that a 3M technician had falsely certified the system as operational, despite critical alarms and sensors never being properly connected. Before trial, 3M refused to offer even a nominal settlement. Instead, the company insisted it bore no responsibility and urged the jury to assign all blame to Watson Grinding, which filed for bankruptcy shortly after the explosion. At one point during trial, a 3M attorney asked one of the plaintiffs, a 50-year-old Latina housekeeper whose home and health were destroyed, why she had not 'just driven for Uber' to recover financially. 'That kind of corporate arrogance is exactly why we go to trial. They didn't take the case seriously. Thankfully, the jury did,' Moye said. With five years of pre-judgment interest, the total judgment is expected to exceed $40 million. Frequently Asked Questions Who is Will Moye? Will Moye, opens new tab is a veteran Houston trial attorney with more than two decades of courtroom experience. He previously defended some of the world's largest corporations before founding his own plaintiffs-only law firm in 2024. What is the Watson Grinding explosion case? The January 24, 2020 explosion at Watson Grinding and Manufacturing in Spring Branch killed three people and destroyed a residential neighborhood. Moye helped prove that 3M and Teledyne Detcon failed to properly install or test a gas detection system that could have prevented the blast. What was the verdict? A Harris County jury awarded $37.9 million to five plaintiffs. With pre-judgment interest, the award will exceed $40 million. Why is this verdict significant? The verdict coincided with the death of SB 30, Texas legislation aimed at reducing large jury awards. Will Moye played a direct role in defeating the bill and securing justice for his clients—all in the same week. About Will Moye and Moye Law Firm Will Moye, opens new tab is a courtroom-tested trial attorney with over 25 years of experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants. Before founding Moye Law Firm, opens new tab, he spent his career defending some of the nation's largest energy companies, manufacturers, and insurers, giving him a rare, strategic understanding of how powerful corporations assess and fight legal claims. Today, Moye uses that insider knowledge, opens new tab to fight for individuals and families, opens new tab catastrophically harmed by explosions, workplace safety failures, defective products, and corporate negligence. He has tried high-stakes cases across Texas, from major metropolitan areas like Harris and Travis Counties to smaller rural venues, earning a reputation for tough, strategic, and compassionate advocacy. Moye is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), one of the most prestigious organizations in the legal profession, reserved for experienced trial lawyers who exhibit high personal character, integrity, and proficiency in trial advocacy. He founded Moye Law Firm in 2024. Headquartered in Houston, it is a plaintiffs-only trial firm dedicated exclusively to catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death litigation. The firm's mission is simple: to deliver fearless, strategic, and personalized representation to those whose lives have been shattered by preventable disasters. The firm's attorneys bring over 80 years of combined courtroom experience, including significant backgrounds as former defense counsel for major corporations. Their unique perspectives enables the firm to anticipate defense strategies and build powerful, winning cases on behalf of injured clients. Their primary practice areas include: For more information, visit opens new tab. Media Contact Amanda Orramanda@ ### SOURCE: Moye Law Firm Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire See release on EZ Newswire
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signs bills to lower auto insurance rates
BATON ROUGE — Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed a sweeping package of auto insurance reform bills Wednesday, promising to lower the cost of coverage in Louisiana by cracking down on what he calls 'frivolous lawsuits' and strengthening oversight of the insurance industry. Landry called the new auto insurance laws 'the largest tort reform package, and effort made in the history of the state.' He said the goal was to take a measured approach by holding both insurers and litigants accountable for rising costs. The signing came a week after Landry flexed his political muscle and forced one of the key bills through the Senate in a late-night vote. The bill, House Bill 148, gives Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple more authority to reject 'excessive' rate increases — power that Temple says he does not need. Temple has downplayed the idea that Louisiana's high premiums stem from weak regulatory power, instead pointing to legal abuse and a high number of minor injury claims. 'It's a false claim that rates are high because the commissioner doesn't have some magical power,' Temple said. 'The problem in Louisiana is bodily injury claims and the legal system that encourages them.' An amendment added by the governor's supporters also requires insurance companies to make their rate filings public, a move some in the industry say could expose trade secrets. Landry defended the change by pointing out that insurance commissioners in other Southern states, including Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, Florida and others, have the power to reject excessive rate hikes. Budget passes: Louisiana House committee passes budget that closes $200 million shortfall without raising taxes Sports gambling: Louisiana House lowers proposed tax increase on online sports betting TOPS reform:: TOPS tweaks trouble cofounder Taylor: 'Let's not throw the baby out with the bath water' He said HB148 brings Louisiana in line with our neighboring states and gives the Insurance Department more tools to protect consumers. Auto insurance has been one of the most important — and contentious — issues in this spring's legislative session. Political analysts say rising car insurance rates could pose a problem for Landry in a re-election campaign. Landry has repeatedly said he plans to hold Temple accountable if rates do not drop under the new law. In the past, legislators have blamed plaintiff's lawyers and focused almost entirely on tort reform, claiming that caps on big court judgments would bring down auto insurance rates. But premiums have continued to increase, and Landry contended that greater oversight of premium rates is also needed. Landry opened his news conference Wednesday by reflecting on last year's efforts to reform home and property insurance in Louisiana. He acknowledged criticism for not accepting the entire package of legislative proposals at that time and pointed to another Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, who did that in Florida. 'Today Floridians are struggling, and their legislature is trying to roll back some of those recommendations,' Landry said, using the example to explain why Louisiana is taking a more measured path. While Temple expressed skepticism about the need for HB148, he has supported the rest of the package, saying the legal reforms are necessary to stabilize the insurance market and bring rates down. Landry referenced a report commissioned by the Legislature that included tort reform recommendations insurers said would lower rates. 'Still hopeful that by the end of the session, we will sign even more of those industry-specific recommendations that insurance companies asked for, and more importantly predicted, would lower rates,' Landry said. Other bills in the package that the governor signed target who can file lawsuits, how much they can recover and what jurors can consider in injury cases: House Bill 434 raises the minimum threshold of medical costs that uninsured drivers must meet to claim medical expenses in court, from $15,000 to $100,000. House Bill 450 requires plaintiffs to prove their injuries were directly caused by the crash in question. House Bill 431 bars drivers found at least 51% responsible for a crash from collecting any damages. Currently, they can recover damages for the remaining 49%. Landry said business groups have long supported this change. House Bill 436, a controversial measure, prohibits undocumented immigrants injured in car accidents from collecting compensation for general damages. Senate Bill 231 allows jurors to consider the actual amounts paid for medical care, rather than the often-inflated billed amounts, in personal injury cases. House Bill 549 mandates a 5% insurance premium discount for commercial vehicles with dashboard cameras. 'Having undisputed video evidence will reduce litigation, improve truck driver safety, and lower costs for everyone,' Landry said. With bipartisan backing on several of the bills, Landry said the changes mark a major step toward improving Louisiana's insurance climate and restoring fairness in the system. 'Over the last 50 days, the only side I and the legislators who supported this package of bills have been on is the people,' Landry said. 'Our people are too good to be taken advantage of again and again.' This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signs auto insurance reform bills
