31.   Conservative legal scholars view punitive damages as the enemy of rational judgment, forcing defendants to settle claims without regard to the merits.

32.   Dinon added that the company prefers to settle claims out of court.

33.   Dow Chemical has thus far refused to contribute anything toward settling implant claims.

34.   Even though American Home Products moved quickly to settle the claims, the company told analysts Wednesday that the legal environment in Mississippi was anything but ordinary.

35.   Foley said the company had settled claims over annuities because it thought that the insurance industry would see extensive litigation over the investments.

36.   Four other states had settled similar claims earlier in a separate action.

37.   Four states had earlier settled their claims in deals with the industry.

38.   Goldman has settled all claims against it for an undisclosed sum.

39.   He found out Friday morning that he will have to hire a lawyer and go to court to pick an arbitrator to settle his claims.

40.   He also settled claims against the estate by the Internal Revenue Service and California and Texas, where Hughes had business interests.