Corinth board endorses tort reform resolution (7/17/02 NE Mississippi Daily Journal) By Jane Clark Summers CORINTH - Taking heed to recommendations discussed at the Mississippi Municipal League convention, the Corinth Board of Aldermen adopted a resolution endorsing tort reform. The MML supported resolution asks the governor and state Legislature to enact civil justice reform within the state judicial system. The action would benefit the citizens, industry, businesses and healthcare agencies, the resolution states. The resolution seeks to prevent forum or venue shopping from county to county within the state. All litigation should be filed and acted upon in the county or jurisdiction in which the case or action occurred. It also seeks a cap on punitive damage awards consistent with federal law or with other states within the region. Punitive is punishment while compensatory is actual damage. And it asks for non-binding mediation in malpractice lawsuits to try to avoid going to court. The civil justice system, specifically unreasonably high jury awards in the Mississippi court system has impacted economic development and made it difficult for individuals and businesses to secure liability insurance, the resolution states. This impact goes beyond defendants in lawsuits; it adversely affects tourism, marketing, service businesses and financial institutions, the resolution states.