ROBERT M. NEELD, Democrat
Candidate for U.S. Congress
FOR RELEASE: AUG. 9, 2004 9PM
CAPE CORAL, August 9 - The following statement
was issued today by Robert M. Neeld, candidate for the U.S. House
of Representatives from Florida's 14th Congressional District.
"Since April of this year, I have tried to bring civility
and thoughtfulness to the debate regarding our legal rights on
matters involving personal injury through professional malpractice
or through product liability."
"I suggested that Alternative Dispute Resolutions (ADRs)
might be a reasonable way for aggrieved parties to seek a fair
and just remedy, and many people who I have met during the campaign
have complemented me on the merits of this approach regarding
the issue of Tort Reform."
"Subsequently, I received word late last week that certain
medical associations, including some here in Florida, are contributing
to a massive media campaign for the specific purpose of influencing
public opinion -- and the upcoming election - on the issue of
Tort Reform. A core element of this campaign recommends that state
and federal laws be changed to drastically limit an injured party's
access to the courts. Furthermore, and most onerously, the campaign
contains "testimonials" from medical practitioners who
are threatening to abandon or drastically curtail their practices
if their version of Tort Reform fails. This threat would hurt
people who depend on their doctors for critical care."
"On its face, this veiled threat constitutes an unprecedented
breach of professional ethics and reeks of childish irresponsibility.
I will not remain silent when people who need medical care are
blackmailed by specials interests on this very important matter."
"As a result, from this day forward and until parties can
agree on a sensible solution to Tort Reform, I support an individual's
Constitutional right to a trial by a jury when personal injury
is caused by a professional practitioner or by product defect.
For more than 200 years, our courts have provided a forum where
people can seek justice to correct the wrongs to which they were
subjected. The jury system works for all of us and we should not
be bullied or otherwise blackmailed by special interests into
making changes."
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