Is U.S. Chamber of Commerce 'Sue Happy?'

The Chamber of Commerce launched a PR campaign against frivolous lawsuits in December 2009.  They have spent millions fighting to protect  tobacco companies, asbestos companies and other chemical companies.  They have a multi-million dollar affiliate, the Institute for Legal Reform that is dedicated to restricting the ability of injured persons to file suit, particularly against corporations. 

Yet, despite all the millions spent to deny American citizens access to the court system, the Chamber has itself filed suit or entered into lawsuits at the astounding rate of more than 2 per week (in 2009, for example, they filed or entered into 131 cases).  The overwhelming majority of lawsuits it files or enters is not on behalf of small business owners, but instead for large corporations ranging from Enron, AIG and other insurance companies, and drug companies.

The Chamber has its own litigation arm, The National Chamber Litigation Center and among the legal positions it has taken are these:

• sought to shield pharmaceutical executives who skirted safety procedures and ultimately killed 11 children
• fought for lead paint manufactures found to have poisoned thousands of children
• tried to force workers, instead of employers, to pay for their own safety equipment
• opposed measures allowing workers to receive a rest period during a full work day

• justified the actions of Wall Street banks that drove the country's economy into turmoil

I personally will defend right of The U.S Chamber of Commerce to file lawsuits on behalf of large corporate interests.  But the Chamber should represent the rights of all citizens and all businesses, large or small.

A report, titled “The Chamber Litigation Machine: How the Chamber Uses Lawsuits to Keep Americans out of Court,” can be found at www.justice.org/USChamber.