In the News

Here’s a problem: Generic drug manufacturers are not allowed to independently update their labels to warn of newly discovered side-effects. And they can’t be held accountable if their drugs injure or kill Americans. It’s a generic drug safety loophole.

The week marks the 11th Annual National Asbestos Awareness Week, as designated by the United States Senate with the bipartisan, unanimous passage of Senate Resolution 125. The American Association for Justice applauds our lawmakers and advocates who created this important event, and we welcome this opportunity to honor and remember the countless lives lost to asbestos diseases. Further, our observance of Asbestos Awareness Week renews our commitment to seek justice and accountability from the corporations that knowingly poisoned and killed Americans.

Joel’s Story:

I remember sending pink roses to my daughter Casey for Valentine’s Day. Pink was her favorite color.

Yesterday was World Cancer Day, which was established in 2008 with the primary goal of significantly reducing illness and death caused by cancer by 2020. Several Members of Congress recognized World Cancer Day, but certain members of the House Judiciary Committee chose to mark the occasion by holding a hearing on a bill that insults and injures victims of cancer caused by asbestos. 

The American Association for Justice (AAJ) launched its new Safe Driving Policy initiative to encourage AAJ members, their law firms, and their staff to promote safe driving practices on a professional and personal basis. The AAJ Safe Driving Policy was developed by AAJ member, Joel Feldman, who created the End Distracted Driving (EndDD) campaign after his daughter was killed by a distracted driver.

Change.org prides itself on “empowering people everywhere to create the change they want to see,” and now it’s leading by example. 

The popular online petition website has just dropped its forced arbitration clause from its terms and conditions.  This means that if a user has legal dispute with the company, Change.org will answer for itself in court rather than in a rigged forced arbitration system. 

According to the message on its website:

As Forbes reported this week, “Forget Cyber Monday, It's Cyber Week.” Many companies are extending their online sales all week long, with new deals being introduced every day. But Even the best cyber deals can come with a shockingly hefty price – your constitutional right to hold the retailer accountable in court if it cheats you, delivers a bad product, or loses your personal information in a data breach.  

Most of the Nation’s Biggest Banks Are Using Forced Arbitration to Block Ripped-Off Consumers From Their Day in Court; CFPB Can Write a Rule

This Veterans Day, we honor the service and sacrifice of the brave men and women of the U. S. Armed Forces by issuing a call to preserve and strengthen laws promoting their financial security by stopping forced arbitration. Take Action 

This post was originally published by the Center for Justice & Democracy at New York Law School and can be found here.