CJ&D has presented testimony before Congress and state legislatures, and has helped organize press events advocating the rights of injured consumers and patients.

But an injured multinational corporation is not the same thing as an injured consumer, said Mr. Waxman, who sees no value whatsoever in the proposed measure.

"The challenge before us is: How do you reduce the exposure of the business community without being unfair to the injured consumer?"

The Senate killed legislation to reduce damages that manufacturers must pay to injured consumers in product liability suits.

In Wyeth v. Levine, the court asserted that state-level rights of action could not be pre-empted by federal immunity and could provide "appropriate relief for injured consumers."

There is no way of knowing if American manufacturers are paying more to injured consumers over all.

For some injured consumers, juries will award more money than their lawyers ask for.

Current laws do not sufficiently encourage companies to prevent this crime, and businesses that negligently permit identity theft to occur are not liable to injured consumers for their conduct.

But injured consumers also have rights that need protecting, including financial relief from the consequences of accidents involving faulty products.

To the Editor: Walter Olson's latest attack on trial lawyers who represent injured consumers and workers (Op-Ed, Nov. 23) ignores three facts.