06/ 03/ 2008
The NFIB Small Business Legal Center actively pursues legal cases that will help protect much-needed legal reforms. By stopping suits before they are filed, opportunities for unscrupulous attorneys to force small business owners into settlements are limited. Here are a few of our critical wins on this issue.
Stopping a notorious ADA lawsuit abuser: The Legal Center helped thwart notorious Americans With Disabilities Act lawsuit abuser Jarek Molski, who filed more than 400 suits against small businesses in California, alleging the same injuries and violations in each. The Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals finally stopped him, upholding an early ruling that forbids him from filing more suits unless he obtains court approval.
Upholding limits on product liability suits: At the Legal Center's urging, the Ohio Supreme Court delivered an important victory for small business owners. It ruled that a state law prohibiting tort claims from being filed after a 10-year period is constitutional. The victory upheld a significant legal reform that NFIB/Ohio was instrumental in passing through the state Legislature. Had the law been overturned, small business owners in Ohio could have been subject to endless litigation based on products that are 20, 30 or even 50 years old.
Protecting a defendant's right to sue unscrupulous attorneys: The Legal Center helped secure a California Supreme Court ruling that upholds a defendant's right to sue attorneys who actively help a plaintiff pursue a frivolous claim. The case in question involved a small business owner suing two attorneys who helped a former employee concoct a discrimination claim against the business in an effort to force a settlement. This was a significant victory for small businesses that are often the target of frivolous lawsuits because attorneys know that small business owners don't have the resources available to defend themselves against most claims.
The Small Business Legal Center is a 501(c)(3) and relies heavily on financial support from small business owners like you.
For more information on how you can contribute, visit www.NFIB.com/legal.
