Senate Huff Honored for Work Against Unwarranted Lawsuits

 Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar) has been presented with the prestigious 2013 Civil Justice Leadership Award by the Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC) at a ceremony that took place in Brea. Huff was selected for the leadership role he played to protect both individuals and business from unwarranted lawsuits in California.

 Officially founded in 1979, the Association for California Tort Reform was dedicated to improve California’s civil justice system. The association was renamed the Civil Justice Association of California in 1999 and continues to work in the State Legislature and the courts to reduce the kind of unwarranted and excessive litigation that increases business and government expenses, discourages innovation and drives up the cost of goods and services for all Californians.

 “I am humbled by this award and the recognition of my efforts to bring about judicial reform,” said Senator Huff. “California ranks 47th in the Institute for Legal Reform’s latest survey of the lawsuit climates in each of the 50 states. On average, more than four class action lawsuits are filed in California every day the courts are open for business. This problem isn’t just about jobs and business. It’s about California families because companies that are sued routinely pass on the cost of litigation to their customers.”

 Senator Huff was selected for this year’s award for his support of measures that sought to limit frivolous lawsuits in California. These bills included AB 417, which will limit lawsuits filed against local government under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for projects involving the construction of bicycle trails. Senator Huff also supported legislation, AB 635, which expands the civil immunity afforded to physicians and those who provide prescription drugs to counter an opioid overdose.

 CJAC also cited Senator Huff for his authorship of SB 669, which allows properly trained volunteers to administer epinephrine auto-injectors (Epi-Pens) to children and adults who suffer from life-threatening allergies, without the threat of civil and criminal liability.

 Senator Huff was also recognized for opposing legislation that sought to increase liability against businesses or sought to increase damages and/or attorney fees.

 “Senator Huff has proven throughout his legislative career that he is a courageous, fair-minded legislator who understands how unwarranted lawsuits hurt California,” said Kim Stone, President of CJAC. “He has demonstrated exceptional leadership in opposing proposals that would make California’s unfavorable legal environment even worse.”