Senate panel OKs malpractice reform
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ATLANTA - New rules for medical malpractice lawsuits, a priority for ruling Republicans in the Legislature, passed an early test Thursday when a Senate committee approved the changes 6-2.
The bill outlines several legal changes intended to reduce frivolous lawsuits against doctors, reduce jury awards and lower malpractice insurance premiums for doctors, who say they are being run out of business by high insurance bills. Insurers say the legal system is to blame.
The Legislature has been considering malpractice law changes for three years, but so far, lawmakers haven't been able to agree how to please insurance companies without hurting victims of doctor negligence.
Lower drug costs for uninsured suggested
ATLANTA - Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor called Thursday for the state to use its buying power with drug manufacturers to create a program that would allow uninsured seniors and those with limited incomes to buy drugs at discounted prices.
The state already negotiates lower drug prices for those enrolled in its Medicaid and state health benefit plans. Mr. Taylor contended the same benefit could be extended to thousands of Georgians who lack health insurance but aren't covered by those programs.
He said the program he is proposing through legislation would cost the state nothing.
Music festival hopes for large turnout
GAFFNEY, S.C. - Organizers are hoping a music festival scheduled for Labor Day weekend attracts a diverse lineup of artists and thousands of fans.
Fire Lake Festival organizers have compared the event set at a 400-acre farm in Cherokee County to the Bonnaroo music festival, one of the Southeast's largest outdoor music events, which has been held for the past three years in Manchester, Tenn.
Fire Lake organizers have hired the same production company Bonnaroo uses, but say Fire Lake will be slightly different. More than 70,000 fans have annually attended Bonnaroo, which has featured acts such as Bob Dylan and the Allman Brothers.
Festival President David Mackenzie said he expects a similar turnout.
Two former customers file suit against firm
CHARLESTON, S.C. - Two former customers of JK Harris & Co. have filed a lawsuit against the South Carolina-based national tax resolution firm claiming breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty.
The suit was filed this week in Charleston County against the tax resolution services company that has grown during the past eight years from a lone certified public accountant to a $100 million national company.
The plaintiffs are represented by the Motley Rice firm of Mount Pleasant, S.C., and the Strom Law Firm of Columbia.
A statement from Harris said company attorneys were reviewing the complaint.
The lawsuit alleges that one plaintiff was told he would qualify for an offer in compromise but that the Harris company did not prepare the offer promptly. As a result, the government is garnishing the plaintiff's Social Security check, and he is no longer eligible for the program, the suit claims.
Bill would accelerate pollution prosecution
COLUMBIA - Companies that dump chemicals or do other damage to the environment could face faster prosecution under a bill that cleared a House Judiciary subcommittee Thursday.
The legislation gives the state attorney general authority to use grand juries to investigate those crimes and bring charges. The grand jury powers will force companies to open records and their managers to testify, Attorney General Henry McMaster said.
