by Samuel L. Billings III, esq.

Aside from an aggressively conservative Supreme Court and a stampede of Bush-appointed right-wing judges in our federal judiciary, things are looking up for the American judicial system. The legislative assaults on Lady Justice have temporarily subsided and our beloved tort system can rest a little easier. Yes, my friends, Democrats have taken back the Congress and your friendly neighborhood trial lawyers are back in business.

The Republican rule in Congress was defined by their unremitting attacks on victims of wrongdoing. When a thoughtless restaurant packs their food full of delicious, fatty, unhealthy additives and then has the audacity to fry it – Republicans told the consumer of the food that it was their own gluttonous fault for gaining weight. When a women sues a railroad after getting hit by a train while walking on the tracks, or a student sues to end summer homework, the Republicans tried to blame the victims. The Republicans liked to call it ‘personal responsibility,’ but we knew better. Is it your own fault that manufacturers are adding trans-fats to chocolate sandwich cookies? Is it fair that your boy didn’t make the varsity football team? Is it right that, after years in the same job, you get passed over for promotion time and time again? Republicans might say that these problems don’t belong in the courts. But now that the Democrats are back in power, America’s trial lawyers will once again be able to seek justice for all of these victims.

Is it greed to want to help these people? I’ve won settlements for huge groups. I’ve won malpractice suits so big that whole medical clinics have been put out of business. I’ve won car accident torts that led to whole towns having to put up new traffic lights and widen their streets. I’ve won workplace injury decisions that forced entire factories to redesign their floors. The Republicans say that this raises taxes and puts people out of work. But each one of those wins was like realizing you had the winning multi-million dollar lottery ticket – and doesn’t that make it worth it?

The Democrat majorities know that attorney fees and frequent case dismissals are red herring arguments when the real issue is the huge settlements that we know how to secure. Today’s Democrat leaders are champions for our cause and they are putting big business, doctors and other negligent parties on notice: the free ride is over, and it’s time to pay up!

Speaking of which, if you have ever experienced a workplace injury or suspect you have been the victim of medical malpractice, call me at 555-863-8000.