American manufacturers . . . protecting us from ourselves, and their companies from lawsuits . . .

[OneBlueSky]

Wacky warning winner: Stop car when nature calls
http://www.optimum.net/News/AP/Article?articleId=555130&categoryId=22

Itching to use "The Original Off-Road Commode," a toilet seat that attaches to the back of your vehicle? Stop driving first, warns the product's makers, taking first place in an annual contest recognizing silly warning labels.

The "Wacky Warning Labels" contest, which announced its winners Wednesday, is intended to show how frivolous lawsuits distort the U.S. civil justice system, said organizer Bob Dorigo Jones. Steve Shiflett of Hampton, Ga., won $500 for submitting the toilet seat, which is "not for use on moving vehicles," according to its packaging.

(snip)

Taking second place in the contest was an instruction guide for a wart-removal product. "Do not use if you cannot see clearly to read the information in the information booklet," won Daniel Berganini of Fridley, Minn., a prize of $250.

(snip)

A cereal bowl warning, "Always use this product with adult supervision," won third place, tied with a bag of livestock castration rings cautioning, "For animal use only." Michael Leonard of Yarmouth, Maine, and Freddy Krieger of Baroda, Mich., each won $100. "Do not eat the LCD panel," warns a label on a 1-by-4-inch LCD screen, a finalist submitted by David Almcrantz of Goleta, Calif.

- more . . .

http://www.optimum.net/News/AP/Article?articleId=555130&categoryId=22

[imdjh]

1. Who really has an interest in reducing lawsuits?

If judges were to toss lawsuits and castigate the attorneys and scuzbags who bring them, then there would be fewer cases, smaller judicial departments, less room for advancement, less job security.

I practically cheered years ago when a California judge told Patricia A. McColm, that she was prohibited from filing any more suits. She nearly exploded. What she needed was to run the gauntlet by everyone she had sued, but the law doesn't permit it.

Every state should have a vexatious litigant list, but it shouldn't be limited to serial plaintiffs, it should be extended to include lawyers and firms which encourage this type of behavior.


http://www.sfweekly.com/2008-02-20/news/vexatious-litigant-burton-wolfe-fighting-eviction-after-threatening-more-lawsuits