HR 4920 · 99th Congress · Law

Tort Action Procedure Reform Act

Introduced 1986-06-03· Sponsored by Rep. Petri, Thomas E. [R-WI-6]· House

Bill Progress

Introduced
2
Committee
3
House Vote
4
Senate
5
Enacted
Latest: Referred to Subcommittee on Monopolies and Commercial Law.(1986-06-06)

Plain Language Summary

[AI summary unavailable — showing source text] Tort Action Procedure Reform Act - Title I: Establishment of Federal Arbitration Panels - Establishes Federal arbitration panels in the district courts of the United States to hear civil actions for personal injuries. Requires that personal injury claims (other than class action claims) brought in a district court be filed with such panels. Allows any party to move for a jury trial. Allows the panel chairperson to transfer such claims to the court for trial de novo or dismiss the claim for lack of Federal court jurisdiction. (Such transfers and dismissals may be appealed to the court.) Empowers the panel to issue subpoenas requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of relevant evidence. Sets forth certain rules regarding the introduction of evidence on collateral sources of payment and the claimant's burden of establshing that a product caused a toxic harm. Grants the panel authority to dismiss frivolous claims. Provides for court enforcement of damage awards set by the panel. Requires that damage awards be offset by any amount received as workers' compensation benefits. Establishes procedures for the judicial review of panel decisions. Provides that a p…

Summarized by Claude AI · Non-partisan · For informational purposes only

Cosponsors (4)

1 Democrat3 Republicans