Letter to the Editor: Troy King should use state's lawyers
Tuscaloosa News
May 5, 2008
By Kerry Kelley - Alabama Voters Against Lawsuit Abuse
Dear Editor: Recently, a Montgomery County court awarded $215 million in damages to the state of Alabama. The enormous verdict was the result of the first of about 70 cases Attorney Gen. Troy King has brought against pharmaceutical companies. Following the verdict, King said “a grave injustice has been righted.” The real injustice occurred even before the case began. King had already decided to give 14 percent to private sector trial lawyers.
Many feel the state should’ve received the entire $215 million, but about $25 million would now go to wealthy personal injury lawyers at the law firms of Beasley Allen and Hand Arendall. Many feel King should’ve tried the case with his in-house lawyers [who are paid with our taxes]. If the charges are so heinously true, the state Attorney General’s Office should’ve been able to win in a walkover. Instead, King signed a “contingency fee” contract, offering private lawyers a substantial portion of any award or settlement, and there is nothing you or I could’ve done to stop it. You and I didn’t know about it until it was a done deal.
