First, the Federal courts, bowing to caseload pressures, have become more reluctant these days to permit class-action lawsuits.

That law permits private lawsuits, for damages or injunctions, for violations of the Constitution or federal laws.

But they warned against permitting "predatory lawsuits."

But it permits lawsuits only if a person dies or is seriously impaired.

The House Republican bill would amend that statute to permit lawsuits in state court for certain types of "malpractice under group health plans."

The most controversial aspects of the law, permitting lawsuits against foreign companies and their executives doing business in Cuba, do not become effective until Aug. 1.

In fact, legislation in almost every no-fault state left wide loopholes that permitted lawsuits for a range of non-economic losses.

State law permits lawsuits for unjust convictions and imprisonment.

A state law permits lawsuits for unjust conviction and imprisonment.

In a 9-to-0 opinion by Justice Thomas, the Court permitted lawsuits against two trucking companies to proceed to trial under Georgia law.