Shortly after the Oklahoma House of Representatives passed a lawsuit reform bill Wednesday afternoon, the governor was already threatening a veto of the measure.
House Bill 2458 would require an expert opinion on whether a lawsuit has merit before a plaintiff could pursue legal action against professional negligence.
“Frivolous lawsuits are clogging our courts and increasing health care costs for all Oklahomans,” said Rep. Colby Schwartz, author of the bill. “It isn’t unreasonable to seek expert advice about a case’s merit before it goes to trial.”
The bill approved on Wednesday is similar to legislation signed by the governor in 2004, but was rejected by the Oklahoma Supreme Court in 2006 on the grounds it was too narrowly defined.
“Because the Oklahoma Supreme Court has already struck down a similar statute as unconstitutional, Gov. Henry will have no choice but to veto the legislation,” the governor’s press secretary, Paul Sund, said. “Scott Cooper
This article appears in May 7-13, 2008.