June 2013 | Take Justice Back

June 2013

Stop Backpedaling BP

Submitted by Michelle Kimmel on Wed, 06/26/2013 - 17:38

BP has orchestrated a campaign to avoid accountability and delay justice for Gulf Coast small business owners for years.  In its latest move, BP has dumped hundreds of thousands of dollars in a PR campaign purchasing full-page color ads in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post that accuses some small businesses of taking money “they don’t deserve.”  

Members of Congress Call on FDA to Protect Generic Drugs

Submitted by Jennifer Fuson on Wed, 06/26/2013 - 11:31

In response to Monday's Supreme Court decision in Mutual v. Bartlett, ruling that generic drug companies cannot be held responsible for the design of the drugs they make, members of Congress have sent a letter to the FDA urging for action to address the disparity between the safety requirements for brand and generic drugs.

Supreme Court Expands Immunity for Big Pharma

Submitted by Jennifer Fuson on Mon, 06/24/2013 - 16:51

The U.S. Supreme Court gave pharmaceutical companies another gift today, largely shielding the generic industry from lawsuits for the design of their drugs.  This is the second Supreme Court decision giving the generic drug industry immunity.

Asbestos "Wonder Woman" Janelle Bedel Dies

Submitted by Roxanne DeMarco on Fri, 06/21/2013 - 21:52

In a small Indiana town, June 6th is known as “Wonder Woman Day” after Janelle Bedel, an asbestos-cancer fighter. Sadly, this wonder woman couldn’t win every fight- Wednesday her long battle with mesothelioma ended.

4-Year-Old Death Key Role in Chrysler Recall

Submitted by Katie Gommel on Fri, 06/21/2013 - 13:24

If you still doubt why lawsuits matter, just look at the Chrysler recall earlier this week of over 2 million Jeeps vehicles. 

SCOTUS decides corporations can grant themselves a license to steal and violate the law

Submitted by Michelle Kimmel on Thu, 06/20/2013 - 15:25

Today the U.S. Supreme Court issued a major blow to consumer, antitrust, employment and civil rights laws.  In a 5-3 decision in American Express Co. v. Italian Colors Restaurant, the Court ruled corporations can use the fine print of contracts to grant themselves a license to steal and violate the law.

Forced Arbitration in the Fine Print of H.R. 1773 Should Be Eliminated

Submitted by Michelle Kimmel on Wed, 06/19/2013 - 14:37

Today the U.S. House Judiciary Committee is voting on Rep. Goodlatte’s “Agricultural Guestworker Act” (H.R. 1773). Included in the fine print of this bill is a provision that would allow employers to eliminate access to justice for guestworkers by forcing them into costly arbitration.

TSCA Reform: If No One is Accountable, No One is Safe

Submitted by Katie Gommel on Thu, 06/13/2013 - 10:28

Access to justice and accountability through state courts must be protected

The American Association for Justice (AAJ) sent a letter to members of Congress outlining important legal principles that must be upheld in efforts to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in order to effectively protect public safety.  The letter details how the civil justice system and state laws complement federal regulation, ensure accountability and provide a safety net when federal regulation is insufficient.

Unsafe Trucks and Outdated Laws Hurt Trucking Crash Victims

Submitted by Jennifer Fuson on Tue, 06/11/2013 - 11:55

An outdated economic model allows unsafe trucking companies to operate on U.S. roads, according to a new report released today by the American Association for Justice (AAJ).  “Truck Safety Alert: Rising Danger from Trucks and How to Stop It” details safety hazards in the trucking industry, including a compensation program that promotes fatigued driving and ignores safety risks, as well as  inadequate insurance limits that shift the cost burden to taxpayers, medical insurance carriers, and Medicare.

Senator Whitehouse: The Dwindling Civil Jury

Submitted by Katie Gommel on Mon, 06/10/2013 - 16:06

In a recent op-ed in the National Law Journal , Senator Sheldon Whitehouse discussed the importance of the seventh amendment, your right to a trial by jury, and how it is under attack.