LEGAL SYSTEM »» TORT »» CIVIL DAMAGES »» May 06, 2024

We assume our federal courts provide equal justice under law, but when it comes to awarding damages from a civil lawsuit, women and minorities are often assigned a smaller monetary settlement than what white men receive. Most believe the law should not value one group of people over another, and that race, ethnicity and gender should not be used to withhold compensation from victims of civil lawsuits. Advocates say anyone seeking justice in our courtrooms should not be met with the systemic inequities of a justice system that has failed to reckon with its earliest sins of segregation and legalized discrimination. They say our federal court system needs to be more equitable by ensuring victims of crimes are given appropriate compensation - no matter their race, ethnicity, gender, religion or sexual orientation. Pending Legislation: H.R.4980 - Fair Calculations in Civil Damages Act of 2023 Sponsor: Rep. Sean Casten (IL) Status: House Committee on the Judiciary Chair: Rep. Jim Jordan (OH) I oppose reforming current civil damages policy and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Speaker Mike Johnson (LA). I support prohibiting courts from awarding damages to plaintiffs in civil actions using a calculation for projected future earning potential that takes into account a plaintiff's race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or actual or perceived sexual orientation by: 1.) Developing guidance for economists to develop future earnings tables that do not rely on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or actual or perceived sexual orientation. And developing guidance for states on how to calculate future earnings in state tort proceedings in a manner that is free of such biases. 2.) Reporting on damages awarded under federal law for personal injury, employment discrimination, tort damages, and cases involving protected classes of individuals sharing a common characteristic or identity who are legally protected against discrimination. 3.) Submitting recommendations to ensure that future earnings calculations that take into account age and disability do not conflict with federal equal protection laws. 4.) Requiring the Federal Judicial Center to train federal judges on how to implement this bill. And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Jim Jordan (OH) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.

Winning Option »» No issues were voted

I support prohibiting courts from awarding damages to plaintiffs in civil actions using a calculation for projected future earning potential that takes into account a plaintiff's race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or actual or perceived sexual orientation by: 1.) Developing guidance for economists to develop future earnings tables that do not rely on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or actual or perceived sexual orientation. And developing guidance for states on how to calculate future earnings in state tort proceedings in a manner that is free of such biases. 2.) Reporting on damages awarded under federal law for personal injury, employment discrimination, tort damages, and cases involving protected classes of individuals sharing a common characteristic or identity who are legally protected against discrimination. 3.) Submitting recommendations to ensure that future earnings calculations that take into account age and disability do not conflict with federal equal protection laws. 4.) Requiring the Federal Judicial Center to train federal judges on how to implement this bill. And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Jim Jordan (OH) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.

Trustee Candidates

Representative If elected as a trustee, the campaign committee of Rep. Jim Jordan (OH) will be unconditionally awarded the funds pledged to this issue along with a letter requesting him to favorably consider passing H.R.4980 - Fair Calculations in Civil Damages Act of 2023. National Association of Consumer Advocates If elected as a trustee, National Association of Consumer Advocates will be awarded the funds pledged to this issue along with a letter requesting these funds be used to advocate for equality in awarding damages for civil lawsuits. About: The National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA) is a nonprofit association of more than 1,500 attorneys and consumer advocates committed to representing consumers’ interests. Our members are private and public sector attorneys, legal services attorneys, law professors, and law students whose primary focus is the protection and representation of consumers. They have represented hundreds of thousands of consumers victimized by fraudulent, abusive, and predatory business practices. As a national organization fully committed to promoting justice for consumers, NACA’s members and their clients are actively engaged in promoting a fair and open marketplace that forcefully protects the rights of consumers, particularly those of modest means.

Elected Trustee

No trustee votes received.

Trustee Evaluation

-Pending-

Trustee Suggestions