A survey on "Legal Prudence and the American Jury" conducted by www.NAPIL.com reveals, it is time that the American jury system and personal injury laws begin filling the gaps in consumer protection.  The survey identifies the main cause for concern in the present civil justice system as the rise of plaintiff-unfriendly legal practices.

Over the past 15 years, various corporate and other companies have invested a great deal of time, effort and money into advocating tort reform. Tort reform encompasses proposed changes in the civil justice system aimed at reducing tort litigation and damages. The promoters of tort reform claim that several irrational and unfair lawsuits have been filed against US corporations by unscrupulous trial lawyers, vying for massive damages. Over the past few years, major corporations, especially drug companies and insurance firms, have extended their support for restricting consumer protection.

The systematic and continuous campaign against consumer protection laws has been supported by biased media companies that have portrayed plaintiffs as opportunists trying to unethically coerce companies to make the most of their misfortune.

Such accusations against plaintiffs and trail lawyers have resulted in influencing jury decisions. With the image of the victim being severely tarnished, jurors either announce their verdicts against plaintiffs or award limited damages.

The bigger risk is the adoption of legislation like the MICRA laws, which are biased against the plaintiffs. These laws cap the non-economic damages that can be awarded for even the most severe injuries at $250,000.

NAPIL has been struggling hard to break the bias against the victims of corporate callousness. The association has been strongly opposing tort reform for the protection of consumer rights. There is a need to educate consumers as well as potential jurors, rather than restricting laws and making them unfavorable to one party.

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