Anzalone & Doyle Trial Attorneys Steve Kopko and Joe Price, Jr. traveled with the Northeast Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association for the group’s annual Lobbying Day on Capital Hill in Harrisburg. The NEPATLA members worked in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Association for Justice to advocate the advancement of legislative interests that the groups have identified as being of significance to those individuals who find themselves injured through no fault of their own.
There are two pieces of proposed legislation that the group focused on:
- First is a bill that would cap our clients’ costs for third parties obtaining their medical records at $200. Presently, obtaining medical records on behalf of clients can cost anywhere from $500 to $25,000, even though the Federal Government caps the cost at $6.50. The only interests the present scenario serves are the third-party companies profiting from the exorbitant and irrational fees. The bill passed in the House of Representatives last year, but did not make it out of committee for a Senate vote. The bill will be back on the house’s upcoming agenda. The attorneys met with Senator Lisa Baker, who chairs the senate’s Judiciary Committee, to push for the bill’s passage. Following the meeting, the group is more hopeful than ever that we will see the bill get passed. Fingers crossed.
- The Second piece of legislation deals with the $250,000 monetary cap on cases brought against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or a Commonwealth Agency for injuries sustained due to the actions of the Commonwealth, its Agencies, employees or agents. The present $250,000 cap, which has not changed since its inception over 40 years ago, applies the same no matter if the injury resulted in a broken leg or the wrongful death of the individual. The proposed legislation would raise the cap to One Million dollars, but the increase would only apply to cases where the individual suffered a qualifying catastrophic injury. The group held material conversations with Speaker Joanna McClinton regarding the proposed legislation, which at the time of posting remains in the early stages of the legislative process.
Along with the above-referenced meetings, the group also participated in closely held meetings with the Northeast PA Republican House Delegation, Senator Marty Flynn, and Lackawanna-Luzerne County House Democrats.
The legislative process remains one of the most meaningful ways that the interests of our clients can be advanced on a large scale. The team of attorneys here at Anzalone & Doyle Trial Lawyers remains committed to putting in the effort in any area that has the potential to benefit our clients. We will do the same for your case. Contact Anzalone & Doyle Trial Lawyers today for a free consultation regarding your potential Personal Injury case.
