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The Bigby Case
- Charles Bigby, a janitor, was severely injured when a drunk driver hit the phone booth he was in.
- He sued the phone company for negligence, citing a prior incident at the same location.
Bigby's Motivation vs. Reagan's Spin
- Bigby's lawsuit aimed to cover his medical expenses and lost income due to his injuries.
- President Reagan misrepresented the case as frivolous, aiming to garner support for tort reform.
Tort Reform Origins
- Reagan's portrayal of Bigby's case fueled the tort reform movement.
- This aimed to limit individuals' ability to sue and cap damage payouts, benefiting businesses.