WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) has launched a new public awareness campaign featuring individuals who have been victimized by lawsuit abuse. The I Am Lawsuit Abuse.org Web site features videos of everyday people who have been the targets of unfair lawsuits, and provides other lawsuit victims with the opportunity to share their stories.
“Lawsuit abuse is a devastating problem in America today,” said ILR president Lisa A. Rickard. “The men and women featured in this campaign have had to suffer through the emotional and financial toll that abusive lawsuits take on lives and businesses.”
The Web site features a regularly updated collection of video stories of lawsuit abuse victims, including Jin and Soo Chung, the owners of the Washington, DC dry cleaning business involved in the infamous $54 million lawsuit over a pair of suit pants.
“It’s important that Americans understand that lawsuit abuse hurts their families, their neighbors and the small businesses in their communities,” Rickard said. “Americans need to know that there are millions of people directly affected by frivolous lawsuits, and that it’s time to change our lawsuit culture. This campaign is not only about showing stories of people hurt by lawsuit abuse, it’s about giving people the power to stand up and speak out.”
A recent study conducted for ILR by the nonpartisan market research firm Harris Interactive® found that more than three-quarters of all small business owners in America are concerned they might become the target of a frivolous or unfair lawsuit.
To call attention to the new Web site, Rickard said her organization planned to launch a significant nationwide TV and online advertising effort.
The mission of the Institute for Legal Reform is to make America’s legal system simpler, fairer, and faster for everyone. It seeks to promote civil justice reform through legislative, political, judicial, and educational activities at the national, state, and local levels. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation, representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.
