Being "for" or "against" tort reform is stupid either way. There's a lot of ideas out there on the subject. Some are good, some are not. Of course, the most efficient thing would probably be to abolish the tort system all together and have "no fault" insurance. But it would be much less fair. It's really a value statement : justice versus effiency, etc.
I am not sure of the millions thing you are talking about. Per August 11th Houston Chronicle......damages for pain and suffering and other non-economic loses in Colorado civil cases generally cannot exceed $733,000. Punitive damages cannot exceed the compensatory award and can be givenly only if the allegations are proven beyond a reasonable doubt. So as it stands little Kate can possibly only take less than $500K (which is no chump change) for her troubles after her lawyers and possibly IRS finish dealing with her. Is that worth all the trouble? What would you do for $700K?
"* She slept with dozens of men during her time in Colorado. * She slept with different men over a short period of time. * She partied like a star and collected lovers like a wild frat boy." With such a storied past for the accuser, logic would indicate that the defense team should easily be able to locate at least 50-60 witnesses such as Ms. Weatherwax all over Colorado
Look at it this way Bro....those millions he lost can be lumped up as part of the cost he paid (or still paying) for adultery. Kate on the other hand has to pay something for flirting with a married man (at least in the eyes of God) and no one here can say she did not know what she was doing going up to Kobe room.
Kobe's legal fees will run into the millions with regard to trial -- not to mention the economic losses he will face if he is found liable. Economically, you would/could figure it like this: 1-2 million in fees, plus a chance a possible verdict of .73 m plus punitives of .73 (1.46) Let's say 10 million, present value, in past and future endorsements, plus the value to Kobe of having to endure a year's worth of civil trial = something like 13.5 million as a worst case scenario. -- give Kobe a 50/50 shot and I suppose it would settle around the low to mid millions. In addition, I don't doubt that there are creative ways to amend the complaint in order to get around punitive damage caps in Colorado, so I wouldn't pin them to such a low number. I would demand an outrageous number if I were them, Kobe has beaten the criminal rap but they can make the civil rap long and damaging to him, emotionally & financially. edit Rileydog hit it on the head.
