Keith Whitson Appears on “Our Region’s Business” to Discuss Pennsylvania’s Fair Share Act

On November 27, 2011, Keith E. Whitson, chair of Schnader’s Product Liability Practice Group and Administrative Partner of the Firm’s Pittsburgh office, appeared on “Our Region’s Business” to discuss the Pennsylvania Fair Share Act. Pennsylvania’s House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, who was a key leader in getting the measure passed, also appeared on the program.

The Fair Share Act, which Governor Tom Corbett signed into law on June 28, 2011, is designed to make Pennsylvania more competitive and is a first step towards legal reform. The new law will protect companies and individuals from having to pay 100 percent of a claim when they are found to be only partially at fault. In other words, companies and individuals will not be required to pay any portion of a judgment that other responsible parties should be paying – they will have to pay only their “fair share.” The Act, which became effective immediately upon being signed into law by the Governor and applies to causes of action that accrue on or after the effective date of the law, will affect how companies conduct their risk management, determine insurance needs and develop litigation strategies.

“Our Region’s Business,” which airs weekly on WPXI-TV, is a regional television program that focuses on issues important to businesses in Western Pennsylvania. It is a cooperative effort between WPXI-TV and the Allegheny Conference on Community Development.

You can view Mr. Whitson’s complete segment here.