In This Issue: Florida Supreme Court Strikes Down Medical Malppractice Wrongfol Death - Implications for Wiisconsin 2015,Volume 38 ICE.ORG HABUSH HABUSH & ROTTIER S.C.® Our firm is currently representing Wisconsin com growers against Syngenta, a Swiss company, for its sale of genetically altered seed in 2013 and 2014. The National Grain Farmers Association has estimated com farmers lost billions of dollars due to the introduction of this modified com into the general com supply at a time when it was not cleared for export to China. Com prices plummeted when China rejected U.S. com shipments alleging contamination of the entire com supply. Habush Habush & Rottier S.C.® is accepting referrals of farmers who may have a claim against Syngenta. Farmers do not need to have planted Syngenta products to have a valid claim. If you would like to discuss a possible referral, please call Daniel Rottier or Jason Knutson at 1-800-822-1690. 1-800-822-1690 HABUSH.COM Winter 2015,Volume 38:1 1 From the Cover I ^ Florida Supreme Court Strikes Down Medical Malpractice Wrongful Death Cap - Implications For Wisconsin .Page 7 From the President Page 3 Legislative Report Page 5 The Mission ofthe "Wisconsin Asso Practice Pointer Page i 5 ciation for Justice is to promote a fair and effective justice system - one that ensures justice for all, not just a privileged few. The New Lawyers Section Page 18 Association supports the work of attomeys to ensure any person harmed due to work place injury or injured by the misconduct Women's Caucus Page 21 or negligence of others can have a fair day in court, even when taking on the most Paralegal Resource Page 28 powerful interests. The Association strives to achieve and maintain the highest standards of Federal Legislative Update Page 41 professional ethics and competency while educating and training in the art ofadvo cacy. The Association and its members are Amicus Curiae Page 43 dedicated to benefiting communities actoss Wisconsin through local events and chari table giving. Verdicts & Settlements Page 46 Editor Contributing Editors' Kelly L. Centofanti Robin Thomas Anthony J. Skemp Krlsten E. Lonergan Christine D. Essser David J. McCormick Executive Director J. Michael Riley Bryan Roessler Edward E. Robinson /WISCONSIN The Verdict,A Quarterly Publication ofthe Wisconsin Association for Justice, 'ASSOCIATION/or 44 East Mifflin Street, Suite 402, Madison, Wisconsin 53703. Telephone (608) 257-5741. All rights reserved. Statements or expressions of opinions are those of con tributors and are not necessarily those of the Wisconsin Association for Justice or of the Editorial Board of The Verdict. The Editorial Board of The Verdict reserves the right to edit and condense all materials. All advertising copy is the sole responsibility of the advertisers. The Verdict does not investigate qualifications of service providers or independently verify claims in ads. Acceptance of ads should not be construed as endorsement of advertisers by either The Verdict or the Wisconsin Association for Justice. 2015 my OFFICERS & BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Timothy T. Sempf, Amery Committee Chairs Ann S. Jacobs, Milwaukee Howard S. Sicula, Milwaukee Amicus Curiae Brief Committee President-Elect Michael S. Siddall, Appleton Lynn R Laufenberg, Milwaukee Russell T. Golla, Stevens Point Anthony J. Skemp, Milwaukee Katherine C. Polich, Madison Vice President Keith R. Stachowiak, Milwaukee D.James Weis, Rhinelander Benjamin S. Wagner, Milwaukee Mark S. Sweet, Watertown Constitutional/By-Laws/Parliamentary Secretary Scott B. Taylor, Milwaukee Procedures Committee Heath P. Straka, Madison Ralph J. Tease, Jr., Green Bay Benjamin S. Wagner, Milwaukee Treasurer Jay A. Urban, Milwaukee Employment Law/Civil Rights Committee Edward E. Robinson, Brookfield Jason W. Whidey, Amery Walter F. Kelly, Milwaukee Past President Beverly Wickstrom, Eau Claire Paul A. Kinne, Madison Christopher D. Stombaugh, Platteville Gregory R Wright, Montello Jury Instruction Committee Peter M.Young, Rhinelander Michael L. Laufenberg, Milwaukee Board ofDirectors Mark S. Young, Milwaukee Jason E Abraham, Milwaukee Past Presidents Keyperson Contact Committee Michelle P. Achterberg, Eau Claire Timothy J. Aiken, Milwaukee Daniel D. Hannula, Superior Todd E. Basler, Sheboygan Bruce R Bachhuber, Green Bay LAW-PAC Board ofTrustees Jeanne Bell, Milwaukee Gerald J. Bloch, Milwaukee Ann S. Jacobs, Milwaukee Avram D. Berk, Appleton Christine Bremer Mu^li, Wausau Legislative Task Force Joel W. Brodd, Hudson Larry B. Brueggeman, Milwaukee Robert L. Jaskulski, Milwaukee Kristin M. CaiFerty, Racine Keith R. CliflFord, Madison Mark L. Thomsen, Brookfield Kelly L. CentoEuiti, Mequon George W Curtis, Oshkosh Litigation Committee Jacqueline Chada Nuckels, Brookfield M.Angela Dentice, Milwaukee Eric A. Farnsworth, Madison Craig A. Christensen, Appleton Merrick R Domnitz, Milwaukee Long Range Planning Committee Frank T. Crivello, II, Milwaukee James A. Drill, New Rchmond Jeffrey A. Pitman, Milwaukee David Deda, Phillips Patrick O. Dunphy, Brookfield Membership Committee Joseph C. Doherty, West Bend J. Michael End, Milwaukee Beth Schneider, Chilton Christopher W. Dyer, La Crosse Paul Cagliardi, Salem Anthony J. Skemp, Milwaukee Gregory J. Egan, III, La Crosse James Grant, Waupun Membership Services Review Committee Richard T. Elrod, Appleton Thomas K. Guelzow, Eau Claire Russell T. Golla, Stevens Point Eric A. Farnsworth, Madison Robert L. Habush, Milwaukee Paralegal/L^al Assistant Affiliated Unit Ryan T. Frank, Montello Robert L. Jaskulski, Milwaukee Chair Frank M. Cagliardi, Salem James A. Johnson, Rhinelander Sara Sweda, Milwaukee Dixon R Cahnz, Madison Kenan J. Kersten, Mequon New Lawyers Section Robert J. Cingras, Madison Gary R Kuphall, Waukesha Kristen Lonergan, Wausau, Chair Eric J. Haag, Middleton Lynn R Laufenberg, Milwaukee Christopher J. MacGillis, Milwaukee, Jay E. Heit, Eau Claire Kevin Lonergan, Appleton Chair Elect Harry R Hertel, Eau Claire John C. Peterson, Appleton People's Law School Committee Ryan J. Hetzel, West Bend JeflFrey A. Pitman, Milwaukee (Conununity Based Public Education Christopher R. Hinkfiiss, Green Bay Don C. Prachthauser, Milwaukee Courses) Paul R. Hoefle, Waukesha Randall E. Reinhardt, Milwaukee Heath P Straka, Madison Gary N.Jahn, Chilton Daniel A. Rottier, Madison Speakers Bureau Robert J. Janssen, De Pere David M. Skoglind, Milwaukee M.Angela Dentice, Milwaukee Steven C. Kluender, Milwaukee Christopher D. Stombaugh, Platteville Merrick R Domnitz, Milwaukee Chad A. Kreblin, Milwaukee Michael 1. TarnofF, Milwaukee Women's Caucus Mark L. Krueger, Baraboo Willard P. Techmeier, Milwaukee Amy F. Scarr, Madison, Chair Kevin J. Kukor, Milwaukee Mark L. Thomsen, Brookfield Christine D. Esser, Sheboygan, Vice-Chair Michael L. Laufenberg, Milwaukee Edward J. Vopal, Green Bay Worker's Compensation ^mmittee Theresa B. Laughlin, Wausau D.James Weis, Rhinelander Michael H. Gillick, Milwaukee Curtiss N. Lein, Hayward William R Wilde, Markesan David L. Weir, Madison Kristen E. Lonergan, Wausau AAJ Governors Steven M. Lucareli, Eagle River Executive Committee: Noah D. Domnitz, Milwaukee Christopher J. MacCillis, Wauwatosa Ann S. Jacobs, Milwaukee, Chair Robert L. Jaskulski, Milwaukee Kevin R. Martin, Oak Creek Russell T. Golla, Stevens Point Jay A. Urban, Milwaukee Daniel R. McCormick, Milwaukee Edward E. Robinson, Brookfield AAJ State Delegate Michael C. Meyer, Marion Heath P. Straka, Madison Thomas W Kyle, Watertown Beth Osowski, Oshkosh Christopher D. Stombaugh, Platteville Heath P. Straka, Madison Frank T. Pasternak, Brookfield Benjamin S. Wagner, Milwaukee Terrence M. Polich, Madison Amy M. Risseeuw, Appleton R^onal Officers: Full committee rosters are available at Christopher E. Rogers, Madison Jason F. Abraham, Milwaukee www.wi^usHce,orglCommittees Timothy J. Rymer, Milwaukee Gregory J. Egan, III, LaCrosse Wisconsin Association for Justice Amy F. Scarr, Madison Steven M. Lucareli, Eagle River John Schomisch, Jr., Appleton Michael S. Siddall, Appleton Scott L. Schroeder, Janesville Beverly Wickstrom, Eau Qaire Paul J. Scoptur, Milwaukee 2 Winter 2015, Volume 38:1 WWW.WISJUSTICE.ORG js; . ; From the President Ann S. Jacobs In discussing our organization recently intellectual rigor, and advocacy on behalf forward with these new realities. with a non-member, the person of the unheard public. With these changes come tremendous remarked, a little skeptically, "you are I am humbled and honored to have opportunities. Over the past several years all in competition with each other every been asked to join the remarkable list of that I have been an officer, I have watched day for cases, how do you manage to get presidents of this organization. Although Mike, Ed, Jeff and Chris open the lines of along?" I confess that when Paul Gagliardi asked communication to people who previously I thought this was a fascinating me to do so, I think I might have been a we might have dismissed as unreachable or question. Here is an organization where little unaware of the full job description. not worth the effort. The ability to speak its members compete for literally every I am thankful to have the support of my with those who may oppose us on many tort case around the state. And yet, we husband, Brad, and children, Lily, Julia issues is essential and must continue. This voluntarily come together not only for an and Jacob, in this very time and energy- means continuing to open up lines of occasional CLE, not only for an annual consuming endeavor. I am also following communication