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‘Study’ of State Civil Justice Systems More Propaganda
from Big Oil, Big Tobacco, Big Pharma
(Monday, May 15, 2006 -Washington DC)— A right-wing,
corporate-funded think tank has released a bogus study maligning the
nation’s civil justice system without bothering to consult with
any consumer groups or weigh the negative impact undermining judges
and juries will have on the general public.
“This is just another phony report bought and paid for by CEOs
and big corporations intent on lining their pockets with no regard
for its real world impact on people,’’ said Ken Suggs, president
of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA). “It is
yet another example of giant corporations seeking to escape accountability
for placing unsafe products on the market while picking the pockets
of the people they’ve harmed.’’
The latest spurious study emanates from the Pacific Research Institute,
a front for corporate wrongdoers like ExxonMobil, one of the delightful
companies bringing you $3 a gallon gas prices while reaping record
profits, Altria, which changed its name from Phillip Morris to hide
from its deceptive marketing of cigarettes, and Pfizer, which knowingly
covered up the deadly side effects of one of its blockbuster drugs.
The results come as no surprise since all these companies have a
financial stake in destroying a civil justice system that has proved
to work. The corporations funding the PRI study desperately want to
limit their liability for profiting off products that too often endanger
the safety of Americans.
Not one consumer group was listed among the organizations that were
consulted in the drafting of this report. Yet the world’s top
law firm when it comes to representing corporations that produce dangerous
products aided in its preparation. The rights and needs of those injured
or harmed by faulty products were ignored.
The PRI study purports to offer a state-by-state ranking of the best
and worst civil justice systems in America. Not surprisingly, those
states that make it difficult to press a claim against a corporation
while limiting the amount of money a consumer can collect were embraced
in the report. Those that provide an even playing field for a consumer
to confront a powerful corporate interest were snubbed.
“Corporate wrong-doers don’t like the civil justice system
and they are working tirelessly to avoid being held responsible for
their negligence,” Suggs said. “This study is another example
of corporations placing profits over safety.’’
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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.
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