Resolution - 7154RESOLUTION NO. 7154
WHEREAS, the present joint and several liability law, also known
as the "Deep Pocket Doctrine", has unfairly cost the cities of California
millions of dollars in court judgments, settlements, legal costs, skyrocketing
insurance premiums and difficulty in obtaining adequate liability insurance
coverage; and
• WHEREAS, this same doctrine has also cost other governmental bodies,
business firms and professionals many millions of dollars; and
WHEREAS, ultimately this cost is unfairly borne by the taxpayers
and consumers of California; and
WHEREAS, many cities, other governmental bodies, business firms
and professionals are selected as defendants in, lawsuits merely because
. of their perceived assets or insurance and often are found only fractionally
at fault but must pay most or all of the. judgment because the defendants
most at fault cannot pay; and
WHEREAS, the cost of this is unfairly borne by the taxpayers and
consumers of California; and
WHEREAS, the "Fair Responsibility Act of 1986" is an initiative
measure that would give the voters of California an opportunity to reform
the inequities and injustices of the "Deep Pocket Doctrine" by holding
liability lawsuit defendants financially liable in closer proportion to
their degree of fault; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of West Covina endorse
the "Fair Responsibility Act of 1986" and urge its support and passage to
relieve the financial strain imposed on local government and its taxpayers.
FINALLY RESOLVED, that the City Clerk shall certify to the adoption
of the resolution.
ATTEST:
ADOPTED and APPROVED this 24th day of February, 1986.
City Clerk
I, hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted
by the City Council of the City of West Covina at a regular meeting thereof
held on the 24th day of February, 1986.
AYES: Bacon, Manners, Chappell, Shearer, Tennant
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
City .Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM: