Purdue LS100 2019 February Unit 7 Discussion Latest

LS100 Introduction to the Law and Legal Profession

Unit 7 Discussion

Discussion Boards are an important component of your coursework and will solidify your learning of the topics in each unit. Please refer to the Discussion Board Rubric in Course Documents for grading information.

When posting on the Discussion Board,

Communications must be professional and civil at all times. All posts must be done in an environment that is collaborative.

The goal of Discussion is a free exchange of ideas and viewpoints with the freedom to disagree with one another in a respectful and thoughtful way.

Reread messages and posts before sending them to ensure that your contributions are positive and diplomatic in tone and content.

Tort Reform

We often hear in the media and public opinion that the courts are clogged with frivolous lawsuits. The following video and article shed light on the other side of this debate by pointing out that the legal system already has in place key mechanisms to prevent or dismiss frivolous lawsuits and contend that tort reform is actually designed to protect major corporations with deep pockets from having to pay when they cause harm to people or the environment.

Mr. Fancy Pants is a powerful video about how corporations and the media put a slant on the news to create a public perception that most lawsuits are frivolous.

Myth of the Frivolous Lawsuit provides explanation of how the 3 key safeguards in place to prevent or dismiss frivolous lawsuits: 1) Contingent-fee agreements, 2) Summary judgments, and 3) Directed verdicts.

Source: Mr. Fancy Pants. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h85j1vNxd8A.

Source: Myth of the Frivolous Lawsuit: Tort Deform. Retrieved from http://www.tortdeform.com/archives/2006/09/the_myth_of_the_frivolous_laws.html

Based on your viewing and reading of the above sources, respond to the following question on the Discussion Board:

Consider the safeguards already in place in our legal system to prevent or lead to the dismissal of frivolous lawsuits (as described in the “Myth of the Frivolous Lawsuit” article), choose one of these safeguards, and describe in detail how it effectively prevents or dismisses frivolous lawsuits. Discuss whether you believe there is a need for tort reform based on the material you have explored in this discussion question.