15 novembro 2002

ECO-TERRORES
Homeland Bill Rider Aids Drugmakers: Measure Would Block Suits Over Vaccines; FBI Powers Also Would Grow
Lawyers for parents of autistic children suing pharmaceutical companies over childhood vaccines charged yesterday that a new section in the homeland bill - passed on Wednesday by the House and now before the Senate - would keep the lawsuits out of state courts, ruling out huge judgments and lengthy litigation. [...]
"The industry has seized the opportunity presented by a Republican House and Senate to immediately pass legislation to get the industry off the hook," said Dallas lawyer Andrew Waters. "To me, it looks like payback for the fact that the industry spent millions bankrolling Republican campaigns."
GOP officials said the provisions are merely aimed at protecting companies working on life-saving products from being dragged into costly litigation by trial lawyers.