Texas ranks first in a new index on tort liability.

The American Justice Partnership and Pacific Research Institute's U.S. Tort Liability Index for 2006 acknowledges the positive economic results of lawsuit reform in Texas, the groups say.

Nearly 40 factors were used to calculate the index, including monetary tort losses, monetary caps, and procedural/structural rules and reforms.

"State officials and legislators have worked hard during the last 20 years to bring balance and fairness to the Texas judicial system," says Ralph Wayne, president of the Texas Civil Justice League, an affiliate of the American Justice Partnership.

"The results speak for themselves. Legal reform is fuel for growth."

Texas became known as the "world's courtroom" during the 1980s, when the state's judicial system was undermined by frivolous lawsuits and exorbitant jury awards, according to the Texas Civil Justice League.

However, recent legislative action in Texas prompted reforms in key areas, including asbestos and silica litigation, class-action cases, "forum shopping," joint and several liability, medical malpractice and punitive damages, the league says.

George Christian, general counsel of the Texas Civil Justice League, says: "Texas is on the right track, but weaknesses remain in the state's civil justice system. The report's findings should encourage lawmakers to keep up the good work."

© 2006 American City Business Journals, Inc.

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