American Association
for Justice
Consumer
News for Families
The week of
Monday, September 01, 2008
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Corporations Are Hiding Secrets That Could Kill You
Sunshine in Litigation Act Would Help Shed Light on Dangerous Products
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.
Secrecy agreements have been used to conceal the dangers of common everyday products including collapsing baby cribs, dangerous car tires, harmful prescription drugs and hazardous toys. These agreements deprive the public of important public safety information which could prevent unnecessary injuries and deaths. Federal legislation is long overdue. Court systems in 41 states have taken steps to limit court secrecy - the Sunshine in Litigation Act (S. 2449/H.R. 5884) would simply ensure that federal courts also consider public health and safety matters before approving secret settlements.
“The American public has a right to know about hazardous and defective products – especially when irresponsible businesses continue to profit from product sales at the expense of consumer safety,” said American Association for Justice President Les Weisbrod. “If we can prevent more injuries and potentially deaths from products that are known to be hazardous then we should do everything in our power to uncover life saving information.”
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