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PIRG ALERT:  PRODUCT LIABILITY

Consumers Beware: Products Liability Legislation Shelters Corporate Wrongdoers and Leaves Consumers Twisting in the Wind

Contact President Clinton and urge him to veto this legislation!

HE PROBLEM:
Congress is once again considering federal products liability legislation. The bill -- S. 648 -- dictates broad federal product liability standards to the courts in all 50 states. If enacted, the bill would limit courtroom access of Americans killed or injured by dangerous products, such as defective school buses, baby cribs, heart valves, farm equipment, contraceptive devices like the Dalkon shield, or toxic chemicals. Even worse, the bill protects gun manufacturers and dealers, the tobacco industry, and drunk drivers from full liability. This bill would significantly reduce the ability of the tort system to deter companies from making defective products. And it would weaken the rights of Americans to be fairly compensated for their injuries.

 President Clinton vetoed similar legislation last year. But now, he appears willing to cut a deal that would satisfy business special interests at the expense of every consumer.

 THE SOLUTION:
In vetoing the federal products liability bill last year, President Clinton said, it "would undermine the ability of courts to provide relief to victims of harmful products and thereby endanger the health and safety of the entire American public." President Clinton was right then. He needs to be reminded of that and to again stand with injured consumers against special interest pushing this legislation.

 TIMING IS EVERYTHING:
President Clinton is right now considering whether to support a compromise on federal products liability legislation. The only chance to defeat this bill lies with the President and the Senate since the House seems to have already decided to support this type of bill. We urgently need to communicate with the President and each Senator to express objections to this anti-consumer legislation. The flurry of attention over the recent tobacco deal has reenergized the products liability debate. As the powerful special interest groups push through their profit-driven agenda, we must do what we can to keep consumers' rights front and center.

 WHAT TO DO:
Consumers can make a difference by writing letters and making calls. A sample letter is below.
Please take a moment to write, email or call the President and your Senators. Letters tend to make more of an impact, but if you only have time to send an email, do that!
 
 

        The Honorable William J. Clinton

        The President

        The White House

        Washington, DC 20500

        president@whitehouse.gov

Email your senators or write them at:
 
 

        Sen _______________

        U.S. Senate

        Washington, DC 20510

And if you can, call or fax the President's staff! 

        Bruce Lindsey, Deputy Counsel to the President

        Fax: 202/456-2983; ph: 456-2668



        Gene Sperling, Chairman, National Economic Counsel

        Fax: 202/456-2878; ph: 456-2620



        John Podesta, Deputy Chief of Staff

        Fax: 202/456-2883; ph: 456-2459

Thanks for your urgent assistance. Please send a copy of your letter to: 

        U.S. PIRG (attn: Sherri Tarr) Fax: 202/546-2461 

        or email to Ed Mierzwinski (ed@pirg.org).

For additional information, please contact Sheri Tarr or Ed Mierzwinski at: (202) 546-9707, or email Ed Mierzwinski (ed@pirg.org).

SAMPLE LETTER
(Date)

 The Honorable William J. Clinton
The President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500

 Dear Mr. President: 

The American people are this country's most valuable resource. Yet, S. 648, the products liability bill that Congress is now considering, provides shelter for corporate wrongdoers and leaves consumers twisting in the wind. This bill restricts the rights of consumers to be fairly and fully compensated for their injuries and the bill says that if a state law is even more restrictive, that law prevails. The major industries lobbying for this legislation will get more protection and relief than the consumers who really need it. If this bill passes, corporations that recklessly manufacture dangerous and defective products will have less incentive to make safe products. As a result, more innocent Americans will be injured or killed.

 Last year, the American people proudly supported you when you vetoed similar legislation. In delivering your veto message, you stood with brave victims who represented millions of Americans killed or injured by defective products. If this bill passes, consumers injured by defective products could not collect compensation for their injuries.

 This bill would cap the amount of punitive damages that corporations could be forced to pay for their knowing and reckless conduct. Its limits on non-economic damages discriminates again women, children, the elderly and the poor. S. 648 is a bailout from liability for the largest and richest corporations in the world at the expense of every consumer in this country.

 Hold fast to your objections to federal product liability legislation, as outlined in last year's veto message. Big business wants your signature, but consumers need your protection.

 Sincerely,

 (Name)
(Address)