Iowa Citizen Action Network

Civil Justice and Consumer Protection

Civil Justice and Consumer Protection Home Page

Among ICAN’s highest priorities is a commitment to civil justice and consumer protections. Every issue on which ICAN works, from health care to environmental issues to energy policies, is affected by the civil justice system. In the current political climate, and at this time of economic uncertainty, it is more important than ever for ICAN to continue its fight for the rights of citizens to protect themselves through the courts.

ICAN board member, John Campbell, with sign stating Keep the Legislature out of the Constitution Last year ICAN led the fight to stop two horrific pieces of legislation that would have made it easy for nursing homes to cover up bad care and abuses. Included in one of the bills was a $250,000 cap in settlements for malpractice and negligence. Our seniors deserve the protections that are afforded to them under current state laws. Fortunately, those bills were stopped dead in their tracks at the Iowa Assembly.

Also, ICAN worked hard last year with the Iowa Trial Lawyers Association to make sure that Governor Vilsack vetoed a Worker’s Compensation bill that would have limited the benefits of injured workers and their families. Unfortunately, a modified version of the bill may be back this session. If so, ICAN and its allies will be there once again to fight against this and any other legislation that threatens the civil justice system.

Nationally, we expect President Bush and Congress to make attempts to curb class action suits, reduce compensation on asbestos suits, cap punitive damages, in addition to capping non-economic damages in cases of medical malpractice and product liability. This is an attempt to distract us from the real problem. The problem is not the number of lawsuits, but the number of adults and children who are harmed by negligent doctors and defective products. ICAN, along with its national ally, US Action, will continue to fight for the safety of consumers.