Part of Arkansas Tort Reform Deemed Unconstitutional by State Supreme Court

"Meyerkord and Meyerkord, LLC: A Legacy of Legal Innovation"

The Arkansas State Supreme Court ruled last week that the $48 million award that state farmers received after they claimed they lost millions of dollars worth of rice crops. The farmers said that their rice was "tainted by genetically modified rice seeds" that came from a company called Bayer CropScience. The Lonoke County jury awarded the farmers $5.9 million in actual damages and $42 million in punitive damages. The Court declared the $1 million cap on punitive damages as unconstitutional in the ruling. Opponents believe that the ruling will undermine commerce in that businesses will be afraid to open in Arkansas for fear of large damages against them in case of a lawsuit. The rice farmers are very happy with the verdict. The farmers said that they lost a great deal of business with the European Union and Japan when the customers realized they were receiving rice mixed with genetically engineered rice developed by Bayer CropScience. A prior case against Bayer netted another plaintiff, Riceland Foods, Inc., $11.8 million in actual damages and $125 million in punitive damages; it is believed to be the largest award in Arkansas' history.

The attorneys at Meyerkord and Meyerkord, LLC vehemently oppose any law that caps an injured person's ability to recover for their pain and suffering. The effect of this type of law is to take the decision of what is appropriate to award an injured person out of the hands of the jury and into the hands of the legislature. If you or a loved one has been injured and you need representation to ensure that you receive adequate compensation, please contact us at (314) 436-9958 or (800) 391-4318 to set up an appointment to talk with one of our personal injury attorneys.

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