Glaxo Fights Against Public Paxil Trials

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By Evelyn Pringle (about the author) Page 7 of 7 page(s)

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On the other hand, in the September 2007 paper, "The Truth about Torts: Using Agency Preemption to Undercut Consumer Health and Safety," legal scholars, William Funk, Sidney Shapiro, David Vladeck and Karen Sokol, of the Center for Progressive Reform, discuss the importance of jury trials, and the tort system in general.

"It is less susceptible to disproportionate influence by large companies and trade associations than the federal regulatory system," they note and explain:

"When agencies respond to such influence by failing to regulate, or by adopting inappropriately weak regulations, the tort system becomes the primary legal vehicle for consumers to obtain protection from dangerous products and
services."

"Because tort decisions are made by juries, and because plaintiffs' lawyers have the necessary skill and incentives to seek appropriate levels of protection for consumers and patients, the civil justice system puts individual consumers on the same footing as large corporations," according to the paper.

"Unlike the regulatory system," the authors explain, "the civil justice system makes it possible for members of the general public to be directly involved in governing."

"This is a crucial distinction," they note, "since individuals normally lack the same incentives as politically appointed government officials to resolve regulatory problems in favor of regulated entities."

They also note that, "although corporate interests expend significant resources in an attempt to populate the judiciary with industry-friendly judges in states where judges are elected, there is simply no way to 'capture' all the judges throughout the country's numerous state and federal, trial and appellate courts."

"Moreover, even where judges are elected, citizens serving on juries are responsible for making decisions about liability," the paper concludes.

Persons seeking legal advice regarding SSRI-antidepressants can contact the Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman Law Firm at: (800) 827-0087; http://www.baumhedlundlaw.com/

Evelyn Pringle
evelyn-pringle@sbcglobal.net

(Written as part of the SSRI Antidepressant Litigation Monthly Round-Up, Sponsored by Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldmans' Pharmaceutical Antidepressant Litigation Department)

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