FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Linda Okun
PHONE: (626) 824-8927
February 27, 2004
The Honorable Patricia Bates
California State Assembly
State Capitol Room 6031
Sacramento, CA 95814
FAX 916-319-2173
RE: AB 2371– SUPPORT
Dear Assemblywoman Bates:
Los Angeles Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse SUPPORTS
AB 2371. We feel that the current contingency fee system is unfair
and unbalanced because many consumers lack the background to make
informed decisions about the contingency fee. Consequently, injured
plaintiffs often emerge from the legal system twice injured --
once in the accident, which spawned their lawsuit, and once by
the legal system itself, at the hands of their own lawyers.
The impact of this bill, also known as The Legal
Consumers’ Protection Act, will benefit consumers seeking
legal services in several ways. First, it protects consumers by
requiring personal injury lawyers to give a full written explanation
of the fee agreement, as well as an “up front” estimate
of the probability of success, likely recovery, hours of work
to be expended, and all expenses that may be incurred.
Second, consumers are given three working days to rescind a contingency
fee contract for any reason.
P.O. Box 262, Glendora, CA 91741
(626) 824-8927 Los AngelesCALA@yahoo.com
Page 2, AB 2371 Support Letter
Los Angeles CALA
Finally, in advertising that offers representation on a contingent
basis, the advertisement must state whether costs and expenses
are included in the contingency fee or billed in addition to the
typical contingency fee of 33 to 40 percent.
For these reasons, CALA is in complete support of this very important
legislation for the benefit of California consumers.
Sincerely,
Linda K. Okun
Executive Director
For more information on these issues, please contact Los Angeles
CALA at (626) 824-8927 or maryann@maryannmaloney.com
.
Linda Okun is the Executive Director of Citizens
against Lawsuit Abuse in Los Angeles, a nonprofit, grassroots
public education organization. Write to her c/o CALA at P.O. Box
262 - Glendora, CA 91740, or via email at maryann@maryannmaloney.com.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you would like a CALA
speaker to address your organization or some information for your
organization's newsletter, let us know today.
CALA is a nonprofit, grass roots, public education
organization dedicated to serving as a watchdog over the legal
system and those who would seek to abuse it for undeserved gain.
More than 9,000 citizens and taxpayers are Los Angeles CALA supporters.
