Harvey Peeler

Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler represents Gaffney, home to many  of the victims of a recent amusement train wreck. The crash happened in  a city park, with a growing list of possible causes. In the meantime,  the families who were injured are worried that they cannot pay their  medical bills.

In this case, if the government must pay, then only $600,000 would  be divided among 27 people for medical bills. So Peeler (R-Cherokee) has  filed a bill to lift the limit on medical expenses that government  agencies would have to pay if liable for injury. Peeler asked that the  members of the Judiciary Committee look over his bill to make sure “it  does what it needs to.”

<a href=”http://www.southcarolinaradionetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/1PeelerCap1.mp3″>AUDIO: Peeler says it is an example of the unfairness of SC tort laws (:21)</a>

One family lost a child in that wreck, which is still being investigated.

In keeping with his push for tort reform for punitive damages,  Peeler’s bill would lower the amount to be awarded for pain and  suffering.

Courtesy of the South Carolina Radio Network