01/10/08

TITLE: VOICES FOR PATIENT PROTECTION URGES GOVERNOR TO SIGN WRONGFUL DEATH BILL
DESCRIPTION:
Time: 10:35:51

ARTICLE

From a reader

Voices for Patient Protection today called on Governor Corzine to sign into law S-176/A-1511, a bill to amend the Wrongful Death Act. This bill will make the damages available to family members more equitable when someone’s life is wrongfully taken. Currently, allowable awards are dependent solely on measurement of the economic contribution made to the family by the deceased. Grieving families are not permitted to recover damages for the loss of society, companionship and mental and emotional anguish. New JerseyR17;s Wrongful Death Act unfairly de-values the life of both the retired individual and the life of a child and this bill changes that inequity. This bill has been heard in four committees: Senate Judiciary, Senate Budget and Appropriations, Assembly Judiciary Committee and the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee. It won final passage in both the Senate and the Assembly in Monday’s final voting session. Governor Corzine has the opportunity to bring New Jersey in line with the majority of other states that permit recovery for emotional damage and make the law fair for all grieving families. I find it outrageous that after all this time and effort Gov. Corzine is considering a veto of this bill. I would urge all residents to contact the Governors office ASAP and request him to sign this bill into law.

Tom Ricker Voices for Patient Protection