Thursday, August 11, 2011
Democrats are again trying to limit the practice of sealing legal settlements that arise from product liability and other types of lawsuits, arguing that the public has a right to know about potential safety and public health problems.
The Sunshine in Litigation Act of 2011, which recently was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee, would require judges to consider the public’s interest in disclosing health and safety information before issuing protective orders, many of which are requested by companies being sued.
Supporters of the legislation point to cases about silicone breast implants and adverse reactions to pharmaceutical drugs as examples for why secrecy orders should be limited, if not banned.
The bill, which has been introduced numerous times since 1994, cleared the judiciary committee largely because of Democrats. But two Republicans, Charles Grassley of Iowa and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, did support it.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
Sunshine in Litigation Act Reported in Senate (by Steven Aftergood, Secrecy News)
Sunshine in Litigation Act of 2011 (U.S. Senate) (pdf)
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