US Chamber of Commerce Report Substitutes Opinion for Fact; Group would protect businesses at the expense of everyone's health and safety, says Pennsylvania Association for Justice

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a statement from Scott B. Cooper, the president of the Pennsylvania Association for Justice (PAJ) in response to today's release of a report by the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform.  Their "2012 State Liability System Survey" ranked Pennsylvania 40th out of the 50 states in terms of having a litigation friendly environment.

"It's no shock that a trade organization that represents pharmaceutical companies, chemical makers and tobacco companies would come out against the ability of individuals to sue its members.

"But it should not be lost on anyone the Chamber is not calling for similar limits on businesses suing each other or their ability to sue individuals -- only for individuals to sue them.  Nor should it be lost that this newest push by the Chamber to strip away people's rights was announced just blocks away from where the right to a jury trial in civil cases was first enshrined into our Constitution as the 7th amendment.

"Because the new report expresses only opinion about the system, not facts, it isn't worth the paper on which it is printed.  The Complex Litigation Center, which this report is centered on, has won rave reviews and national awards because it does exactly what the courts are supposed to do: protect the rights and safety of individuals against unsafe products and practices. If people don't like getting sued, they can make safer products, adopt improved safety measures, and stop gouging consumers."

The mission of the Pennsylvania Association for Justice is to promote a fair and effective justice system – and to support attorneys as they work to ensure that any person who is injured by the misconduct or negligence of others can obtain justice in Pennsylvania's courtrooms, even when taking on the most powerful interests.

Contact: Scott B. Cooper, Esq.
President, Pennsylvania Association for Justice
717.232.6300 | [email protected]

SOURCE Pennsylvania Association for Justice