More Releases & Features
June 25 - AAJ Commends Fair Verdict in "Pants" Case
June 21 - U.S. Supreme Court Affirms Investors' Right to Corporate Accountability
Press Kits
More Releases & Features
June 25 - AAJ Commends Fair Verdict in "Pants" Case
June 21 - U.S. Supreme Court Affirms Investors' Right to Corporate Accountability
Press Kits
September 17, 2008 - Washington, DC –The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has gone beyond its statutory authority by including language in a proposed rule on over-the-counter drug ingredients that would give manufacturers complete immunity from lawsuits, according to comments filed today by the American Association for Justice. (AAJ). Read the relese
September 11, 2008 - Washington, DC –Today, the Senate Judiciary passed the Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act (S.2838), moving Wisconsin resident David Kurth and his family one step closer to getting justice. David Kurth testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in June about the tragic death of his father, William F. Kurth who died due to severe neglect of care while in a nursing home facility. When the Kurth family tried to hold the nursing home corporation accountable they were told that Mrs. Kurth, who was 82 at the time, unknowingly signed an arbitration clause. Read the relese
August 27, 2008 - Washington, DC –Drug and device manufacturers will have immunity from lawsuits even if they fail to update warning labels to include dangerous side effects for pregnant and breast-feeding women if a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed rule is made final. The American Association for Justice (AAJ) today submitted comments on the new label requirements. Read the relese
August 21, 2008 - Washington, DC –Reacting to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) final rule on supplemental applications for prescription drug and device labels, American Association for Justice (AAJ) President Les Weisbrod called the FDA action, “irrational and designed to assist the manufacturers.” Read the release
August 8, 2008 - Washington, DC –The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has proposed a dangerous blanket policy to require yield or stop signs at every railroad crossing in America. Read the release
August 1, 2008 - Washington, DC –Bridget Robb, who received 31 unnecessary shocks to her heart by a defective Medtronic defibrillator, would have access to justice under legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate today. Read the release
July 31, 2008 - Washington, DC –Americans would be shocked and angered to learn that when they go to the store some of the products they purchase may be hiding dangerous secrets. When businesses settle unsafe product liability suits in which their products have harmed people, they often demand that individuals agree to keep secret, dangers uncovered through the court system. This practice is called court secrecy. Read the release
July 31, 2008 - Washington, DC –Consumers who have been tragically harmed by dangerous products secured their right to hold irresponsible corporations accountable, under legislation expected to pass the House of Representatives this evening. Read the release
July 30, 2008 - Washington, DC –Seniors and their families who have been harmed by mandatory arbitration in nursing home contracts overcame another hurdle in the fight to seek justice from negligent nursing home corporations as the House Judiciary Committee set to pass the Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act (H.R. 6126) this week. Read the release
July 28, 2008 - Washington, DC –A U.S. Chamber of Commerce front group today announced a multi-million dollar public relations stunt that puts big corporations ahead of American families. Read the release
July 24, 2008 - Washington, DC –The following is a statement from American Association for Justice CEO Jon Haber in response to a new U.S. Chamber of Commerce report on securities class-actions: Read the release
July 22, 2008 - Washington, DC – The American Association for Justice (AAJ) gathered in Philadelphia, PA, the birthplace of America, last week to recognize extraordinary contributions to the civil justice system. The five-day convention culminated with an awards ceremony to honor individuals who have worked to protect the constitutional right of all Americans to a trial by jury. Read the release
July 16, 2008 - Washington, DC – During the American Association for Justice (AAJ) annual convention, the world’s largest trial bar announced Les Weisbrod as President for 2008-2009. Read the release
July 16, 2008 - Washington, DC –Washington, DC – Members of the world's largest trial bar elected new executive officers to a one-year term during the American Association for Justice (AAJ) annual convention in Philadelphia, PA.
Read the release
July 09, 2008 - Washington, DC –Washington, DC –Allstate ranks as the worst insurer for consumers, according to a comprehensive investigation of thousands of legal documents and financial filings. Read the release
July 02, 2008 - Washington, DC – Congress ordered the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) to go back to the drawing board to improve a weak roof crush standard that endangers rollover accident victims and attempts to give negligent car manufacturers complete immunity. Read the release
July 02, 2008 - Washington, DC – An analysis by three leading academics has found Pacific Research Institute’s (PRI) "tort tax" claims are "without scientific merit and present a very misleading picture of the American tort system and its costs." Read the release
June 26, 2008 - Washington, DC – Look no farther than heart patient and defective Medtronic defibrillator patient Bridget Robb to understand how the February 2008 Supreme Court decision in Riegel v. Medtronic affects real people. With Riegel the Supreme Court found that medical device manufacturers would be given complete immunity from claims brought by people injured by any of the 316 medical devices affected by the decision. Read the release
June 25, 2008 - Washington, DC – In Taylor v. Sturgell, No. 07-371, a unanimous Supreme Court sided with the American Association for Justice’s (AAJ) amicus argument upholding the fundamental right of each person to seek justice in court.
Read the release
June 12, 2008 - Washington, DC – In Taylor v. Sturgell, No. 07-371, a unanimous Supreme Court sided with the American Association for Justice’s (AAJ) amicus argument upholding the fundamental right of each person to seek justice in court.
Read the release
June 10, 2008 - Washington, DC – A June 8 New York Times front-page article reported that world-renowned researchers failed to disclose consulting fees from drug companies, bolstering arguments against preemption of state law and giving corporations total immunity from all lawsuits.
Read the release
June 10, 2008 - Washington, DC – Recent news stories have highlighted the problems with mandatory binding arbitration in credit card contracts but even more egregious is the increasing use of mandatory arbitration in nursing home contracts. These clauses force families to take their case to an arbitrator even when a loved one is seriously injured or dies.
Read the release
June 4, 2008 - Washington, DC –During a subcommittee hearing today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was blasted for issuing a rule that fails to protect drivers and passengers from being injured in a rollover crash.
May 29, 2008 - Washington, DC – Today’s ruling overturning a jury's verdict against Merck & Co., the makers of withdrawn painkiller Vioxx, shows how harmful federal preemption is to victims who are harmed by negligent drug companies.
May 29, 2008 - Washington, DC – New rules issued by the Federal Railroad Administration and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration would give negligent corporations complete immunity from lawsuits in railroad injury cases, according to testimony given today before the agencies. Read the release
May 22, 2008 - Washington, DC – Today, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued a final rule removing proposed red tape, which would have made it much tougher for veterans to get a lawyer. Read the release
May 19, 2008 - Washington, DC –Americans generally disapprove of binding arbitration provisions in consumer contracts as an alternative to civil legal proceedings involving a judge or jury, according to a recent national poll by survey firm Peter D. Hart Research Associates Inc. Read the release
May 9, 2008 - Washington, DC – According to the Associated Press, "One-time U.S. Supreme Court nominee Robert H. Bork has settled a lawsuit against the Yale Club after he fell stepping onto a platform to speak." The terms of the deal are confidential. Bork had sued for $1 million, including punitive damages. Read the release
May 7, 2008 - Washington, DC – 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. Read the release
Attorney Set to Testify Says No One Should Lose a Child Due to Defective Foreign Products
May 1, 2008 - Washington, DC – Legislation being considered today by the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law would make it easier to hold foreign manufacturers accountable when their products injure or even kill Americans. Read the release
April 24, 2008 - Washington, DC – The American Association for Justice (AAJ) today announced the addition of Amaya Smith as Press Secretary. Amaya will play a key role in AAJ’s effort to educate the media and public on the increasingly important role of our nation’s civil justice system in the face of new corporate attacks on Americans’ rights. Read the release
April 24, 2008 - Washington, DC – The Today Show’s Health segment on April 24, 2008 with Matt Lauer and Dr. Nancy Synderman, Dr. Synderman attacked our civil justice system by calling for tort reform in order to increase life expectancy. The connection between the two issues is haphazard at best and also mimics attacks by big business pharmaceutical companies. Read the release
April 23, 2008 - Washington, DC – Companies would be compelled to disclose product defects, under legislation introduced today. The Sunshine in Litigation Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL) and U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), would make settling lawsuits with secrecy agreements more difficult; ensuring that life saving information is not kept hidden. Read the release
April 22, 2008 - Washington, DC –U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s so-called think tank, Institute for Legal Reform (ILR), today released its phony report that claims to rank the best and worst state legal systems in America. American Association for Justice (AAJ) obtained a copy in advance of U.S. Chamber’s formal release tomorrow. Read the release
April 22, 2008 - Washington, DC –Tomorrow the U.S. Chamber of Commerce will release an updated “study” that supposedly ranks the best and worst state legal systems in America. The “study” is based on a survey of corporate defense lawyers from multi-million dollar corporations who are paid to avoid accountability for their misconduct and negligence. Read the release
April 21, 2008 - Washington, DC –New Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance will put patients at risk from off-label uses of drugs and medical devices, said the American Association for Justice in comments sent today to the agency. Read the release
April 16, 2008 - Washington, DC – This afternoon President George W. Bush made the following comments in his address about climate change: Read the release
April 10, 2008 - Washington, DC – Today, American Association for Justice announces support of legislation to stop abusive corporate practices that put nursing home residents at risk. The Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act will ensure that the decision to arbitrate be made voluntarily and after the dispute has arisen. Read the release
April 9, 2008 -Washington, DC – As reported in today's Wall Street Journal, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a serious warning to GlaxoSmithKline after discovering the drugmaker did not inform the agency about clinical trials it was conducting on the diabetes drug Avandia between 2001 and 2007. Read the release
April 9, 2008 - Washington, DC – Today, the Insurance Information Institute announced a near-record $61.9 billion 2007 profit for the industry. Insurance companies have made an unprecedented $169 billion profit since Hurricane Katrina. Read the release
April 9, 2008 - Washington, DC – Beyond the illegal conduct engaged in by prominent lawyers, the real tragedy of these scandals is that they divert attention from the fact that a robust civil justice system is the last line of defense against corrupt corporate executives and Wall Street moguls ["A Fall and a Lesson," Editorial, April 9]. Read the release
April 2, 2008 -Washington, DC – The following is a statement from American Association for Justice CEO Jon Haber on the Arbitration Fairness Act of 2007 (H.R. 3010 / S.1782) and U.S. Chamber’s latest attempts to avoid corporate accountability while denying people justice through the legal system: Read the release
March 27, 2008 - Washington, DC – American Association for Justice (AAJ) today sent comments to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) demanding the agency remove the roof crush resistance rule’s preemption language. Read the release
March 19, 2008 - Washington, DC – A new Food and Drug Administration (FDA) public health notification shows a higher death rate after five years among patients treated for abdominal aortic aneurysm with Medtronic Inc.’s Aneu-Rx stent-graft system than among those treated through conventional surgery. . Read the release
March 17, 2008 - Washington, DC – The American Association for Justice today sent comments to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concerning a proposed rule that would give immunity to drug companies for failing to warn patients of potential drug hazards. Read the release
March 12, 2008 - Washington, DC – Pacific Research Institute's (PRI) new study proves what independent experts have said all along: "tort reform" does not work. PRI's own rankings show there is no correlation between tort reform and "costs."
Read the release
March 7, 2008 - Washington, DC – “We appreciate the honesty of ATRA spokesman Darren McKinney. Read the release
March 6, 2008 - Washington, DC – The Senate Judiciary Committee passed S. 2449, the Sunshine in Litigation Act, out of committee today.
Read the release
March 3, 2008 - Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a one-line decision affirming the
lower court’s ruling in Warner-Lambert v. Kent. This decision will allow
certain Michigan residents to hold drug manufacturers accountable
for their negligence.
Read the release
February 25, 2008 - Washington, DC – “Today, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in a case about a unique Michigan law. Read the release
February 20, 2008 - Washington, DC – “Today’s Supreme Court decision in Riegel v. Medtronic limits the rights of people to receive justice through the legal system when they are injured by the negligence or misconduct of others. Read the release
February 19, 2008 (Washington, DC)—Contrary to Robert Novak’s 2/18/08 column, the trial bar did not lobby on the wiretapping bill or request support of either side. Mr. Novak’s lack of fact checking cheapens the debate over our national security. Read the release
February 13, 2008 (Washington, DC)—This week before the House Education and Labor’s Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee, the issue of mandatory pre-dispute arbitration clauses in employment contracts was front and center during its hearing on “Protecting American Employees from Workplace Discrimination.”. Read the release
February 11, 2008 (Washington, DC)—The American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) is set to release a new white paper tomorrow that will undoubtedly attempt to distort the truth and push the agenda of giant corporate CEOs who fund this front group. Read the release
January 28, 2008 (Washington, DC)—“Tonight President Bush will deliver his final State of the Union as he presides over a country that labors under a weak economy. It’s an economy of hard choices that forces Americans to work harder for less, depletes their savings just so they can pay for gas, and reduces their ability to afford mortgages as the housing market continues to tank. Read the release
January 16, 2008 (Washington, DC)—The American Association for Justice (AAJ) today demanded the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) withdraw a proposed rule that would allow drug companies to claim immunity for failing to warn patients of potential drug hazards. Read the release
