LETTERS
Frivolous Lawsuits
The California State Bar almost got it right.
By barring three attorneys from the Trevor Law Firm, the Bar definitely sent a statement that shakedowns and extortion are bad business even for trial lawyers.
There are three possible explanations for the Bar finally taking action against the perpetrators:
& #149; They knew it was legally and morally right.
& #149; Even trial lawyers don’t like the young bucs getting in the line ahead of the older raiders of the golden ark.
& #149; They knew this time, if they didn’t act, the people en masse, Orange County Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse, Lou Correa and John & Ken would be on their case.
We hope the first reason is the correct one! We also wonder if the other law firms involved in this scam will be disciplined?
Politicians will have a field day with the media saying how they saved California, but the terrible truth is that they initially refused to act until embarrassed by the local newspapers and CALA.
The trial lawyers had the perfect opportunity to gain some respect and good public relations when the legislature recently voted on approximately 12 new bills to reform 17200 (that allows private attorneys to sue businesses without a plaintiff and without any actual damages) and thereby prevent further shakedowns of the little guys.
Instead the bills were all defeated by the trial attorneys in Sacramento. Their bills, even worse than 17200, are sailing on a clear course to the lawyer-co-dependent governor. Surprise!
In spite of this, we do strongly commend the California State Bar for disbarring three attorneys for their disgraceful behavior. It reminds us of the old riddle, “What are three disbarred trial lawyers in California? A good start!”
Michael Arnold Glueck
Maryann Maloney
Orange County Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse
Gas Prices
Memo to Sen. Bill Morrow (R-38th District):
If you really want to lower gas prices, the last thing you should do is pass bills like SB 304, which attempts to manipulate retail prices by forcing refineries to sell their products at fixed rates to all of their stations, irrespective of local market conditions.
Gas prices are high in California due to our state’s emission rules, which disallow the import of refined products that fail to meet our state standards, and a plethora of taxes.
Sen. Morrow, if you really want to lower our prices, please stop interfering with the free market principles that you, a Republican, are supposed to hold dear.
Art Pedroza
(Pedroza, of Santa Ana, cochairs the legislative committee of the Western States Petroleum Association’s Southern California chapter)
Caregiver Benefit
To answer the growing need for elder care, health insurance companies are beginning to offer programs that help employees care for aging relatives, even if they live far apart. These programs go further than traditional employee assistance programs, which only provide referrals, by matching employees with geriatric specialists who can help them navigate the sometimes complicated maze of available services.
One option is to bring in a geriatric care manager to conduct an in-home assessment of the elder’s situation based on which a customized program can be developed and put in place. Support recommended by the geriatric care manager may include meal or grocery delivery, in-home assistance with daily needs or a liaison between relatives and health care providers,a welcome feature for those employees who live apart, sometimes across the country, from the recipients.
With the coordinated assistance of the GCM, the elder can remain in his or her home for as long as possible.
While caregiver programs don’t pay for actual health care and other services, they help family caregivers do their homework by sorting out available services and opening the door to support networks.
The result for employed caregivers is greater assurance that their loved ones will receive the assistance they need while they are busy at work. For employers, it means less absenteeism and more productive employees.
Employers concerned with keeping valuable employees healthy and productive and recruiters who want to attract experienced workers find caregiver programs an increasingly attractive and affordable solution,about $20 to $25 per employee per year,to the problem of family caregiving.
Employer-funded caregiving assistance is a low-cost benefit that baby boomers will appreciate and, increasingly, expect from prospective employers.
Kathy Feeny
Executive Vice President
PacifiCare Health Systems Inc.
Cypress
