# Punitive Damage Juries Difficult to Fill 

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In a scene that has become common in local courts, juror pools are verbally lashing out against multimillion-dollar lawsuits, lawyers and plaintiffs in cases involving pain, suffering and mental anguish.

In effect, the jury pools are becoming difficult to fill because of the strong position taken by individuals summoned to serve on juries awarding punitive damages.

Last year, Texas voters adopted Proposition 12, capping the amount of money that can be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits at $750,000 for pain and suffering in addition to economic damages of lost wages and medical costs.

Advocates for tort reform point to the 1994 decision to award Sheila Liebeck $2.7 million in punitive damages after Liebeck spilled hot coffee from McDonald‘s on her lap. The award was later reduced to $480,000.

Sources:
- National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (http://www.namic.org/topnews/040218st3.asp)