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ATLA Response To President Bush's Attack On The Civil Justice System This Morning

Best Way to Protect Americans from Flu Is Produce Safe Vaccines

(Tuesday, November 1, 2005) - In response to President Bush's attack on the civil justice system this morning, ATLA President Ken Suggs issued the following statement:

"We agree that it should be a top priority of our government to ensure that the American people have the vaccines needed in the event of a flu outbreak. But, once again, President Bush put his political agenda before the interests of the American people.

"If President Bush were really interested in protecting the public’s safety, he would not be calling for the elimination of important legal protections that hold negligent corporations accountable if they give people deadly vaccines. Companies who engage in gross negligence shouldn’t get special protections.

"Sadly we have seen some big drug companies put their bottom line before the health and safety of the public. On the same day that the President is calling for special treatment for vaccine manufacturers, Merck, a vaccine manufacturer, is in court again defending how it misled the American people about the safety of Vioxx, which has resulted in the death of as many as 55,000 people.

"In addition, the President had his facts wrong this morning. He said lawsuits are keeping drug companies from producing vaccines but even a quick look at this week’s newspapers shows companies are investing in the vaccine market at a rapid pace even without the special protections Bush is advocating.

"We all want to protect Americans if there is a pandemic flu outbreak but the President’s call for special protections is just another special interest giveaway to big corporations and their CEOs, a giveaway that could prove deadly for the public."

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As the world's largest trial bar, ATLA promotes justice and fairness for injured persons, defends the constitutional right to trial by jury, and strengthens the civil justice system through education and disclosure of information critical to public health and safety. With 60,000 members worldwide, ATLA provides lawyers with the information and professional assistance they need to serve clients successfully and protect the democratic values of the civil justice system.