The following is a statement from American Association for Justice CEO Jon Haber:

“Manhattan Institute’s latest attack on the civil justice system follows the mold of its previous reports: fictitious, imaginative and laughable.

“Look no further than comments by Manhattan Institute Legal Director James Copland for the true intentions of this front group.  He ridiculed a Vioxx widower when her husband died one-year after their wedding, calling the marriage ‘profitable,’ followed by, ‘you used to have to marry a billionaire to get that type of kickback from a one-year marriage.’  An FDA scientist testified to Congress that Vioxx contributed to as many as 55,000 deaths in the United States. [U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform Summit, 10/26/05, http://www.uschamber.com/webcasts/2005/051026.htm]

“While Manhattan Institute does the bidding for negligent corporations and CEOs, AAJ will hold them accountable and make sure people have their day in court.”

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Background on Manhattan Institute:  The Manhattan Institute has received funding from a number of corporations, including Exxon Mobil, Cigna, Aetna, Bristol Myers Squibb, Procter & Gamble, Prudential, Merck and Union Carbide.  “The Manhattan Institute is financed with about $6 million a year from conservative foundations and corporations…[a]nd the executives of those companies, as well as top judges, lawyers and media figures, turn up at institute-sponsored luncheons where speakers assail legal rulings holding companies liable for defective products or discrimination on the basis of race, sex or disability.” [Knight-Ridder News Service, 10/19/97]

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As the world's largest trial bar, AAJ 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. Serving members worldwide, AAJ provides attorneys with the information and professional assistance they need to serve clients successfully and protect the democratic values of the civil justice system. Visit http://www.justice.org.