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Recognizing the dramatic impact venue reform has had on medical malpractice filings in the Commonwealth, PA Chamber members are urging lawmakers to prohibit venue shopping in all personal injury cases so that the business community realizes the same benefits.

Venue shopping is the practice used by personal injury attorneys who want their cases heard in pro-plaintiff jurisdictions (namely, Philadelphia) that have a history of producing large jury awards. In 2002, Act 127 applied venue reform to medical malpractice claims and has resulted in a dramatic decline in the number of cases filed in Philadelphia, from 1,365 filed prior to venue reform, down to just 381 in 2010.

 House Bill 1552 would expand venue reform to all personal injury actions, requiring plaintiffs’ attorneys to file their actions only in jurisdictions where the injury occurred.

The PA Chamber has argued that applying venue reform more broadly would help create a more predictable legal climate for job creators, improving Pennsylvania’s reputation among business leaders as a good place to locate, expand, and grow their operations and workforces.

Venue reform is just one of numerous measures being advanced by the PA Chamber in the effort to restore fairness and balance to the Commonwealth’s legal system.

Earlier this year, PA Chamber members realized a significant victory when Gov. Tom Corbett signed into the law the Fair Share Act. At the Fair Share Act bill signing ceremony, PA Chamber President Gene Barr referred to the new law as a “great first step” in bringing meaningful reforms to Pennsylvania’s justice system. With that accomplishment realized, PA Chamber members and a coalition of more than 50 business, health-care, local government and insurance groups are continuing the call for passage of additional commonsense lawsuit abuse reforms. Those include H.B. 1552, which is expected to soon be considered by the House Judiciary Committee, and through legislation addressing statute of repose, innocent seller, apology, and certificate of merit.  

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Founded in 1916, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry is the state's largest broad-based business association, with its membership comprising businesses of all sizes and across all industry sectors. The PA Chamber is The Statewide Voice of Business.