March 8, 2005

Contact: Carlton Carl
202-965-3500 x369

Statement of Todd A. Smith
President, Association of Trial Lawyers of America

U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Source of Phony Studies, Bogus Numbers and Outright Falsehoods Designed to Take Away the Legal Rights of American Families

"The latest phony U.S. Chamber of Commerce "study" once again proves that this mouthpiece for the tobacco, insurance, drug, chemical and other industries can buy a useless "survey" reflecting the opinion of corporate defense lawyers that Enron, Worldcom, Firestone, the asbestos industry and other corporate wrongdoers shouldn't have to be held accountable for the harm they cause to consumers, workers, and shareholders.

"This is just the latest of the Chamber's vicious assaults on the independence of the judiciary and the integrity of our friends, neighbors, and coworkers who do their civic duty by serving on juries. The Chamber has once again demonstrated that it does not trust the America people.

"What is surprising is how many of those corporate defenders of the insurance industry, polluters and companies that defraud their shareholders or customers who were surveyed think the legal system does a good job. Only 14 percent say our court system does a poor job.

"Surely it is not a coincidence that the states whose legal systems these corporate lawyers rank lowest are the very states the Chamber's special interest corporate client have targeted to take away the legal rights of American families and enhance the legal rights of corporate wrongdoers."

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Read No News Is Good News for more information about the U.S. Chamber of Commerce "study " of state liability systems.