The PA House of Representative just passed the ” Fair Share Act”. Governor Tom Corbett is expected to sign it. Under the present law a person who is only 1% responsible for liability can be held to pay 100% of the total judgement. The Fair Share Act makes the defendent only responsible for his own portion of assigned liability unless certain other causes exist. Those causes are 1. intentional misrepresentation 2. intentional tort 3. Hazardous Sites Cleanup 4. violation of section 497 of the Liquor Code.
This act brings PA into alignment with 40 other states who have passed similar legislation. More tort reform is needed but this is a great start in helping keep the costs down for PA businesses. It will help retain PA employers from leaving the state due to adverse legal climate.
