The costs associated with our liability system are far less than critics contend. Tort system costs pale in comparison to costs associated with injury. About 6,000 deaths and millions of injuries are prevented each year because of the deterrent effect of products liability, according to the Consumer Federation of America. When juries speak, corporate America listens. That's why defectively designed cribs no longer strangle infants.
Trucks have back-up alarms.
Once-harmful medical devices have been redesigned. Auto fuel systems have been strengthened. And farm machinery has safety guards. The proposed legal revisions would limit the rights of individuals to hold wrongdoers accountable, but give corporate America every opportunity to vindicate its legal rights.