American Association For Justice News

Washington, DC-The Carlyle Group today announced that they are withdrawing the forced arbitration clause that was included in its proposed IPO filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in response to pressure from shareholder rights advocates and lawmakers. The following is a statement from American Association for Justice President Gary M. Paul:

Washington, DC-The American Association for Justice (AAJ) today called on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to reject The Carlyle Group's attempt to gut investors' legal rights as part of their initial public offering. The private equity buyout firm revised its registration statement earlier this month, adding a forced arbitration clause that would strip investors of their ability to hold Carlyle publicly accountable for fraud, misconduct, or negligence in a court of law.

Washington, DC-Clarification of claims procedures under the Oil Pollution Act (OPA) are needed to ensure that victims of oil spills have the right to seek full legal recourse, according to comments submitted today by the American Association for Justice (AAJ) to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Washington, DC-The following is a statement from American Association for Justice (AAJ) President Gary M. Paul in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in CompuCredit Corp and Synovus Bank v. Wanda Greenwood:

Washington, DC-New guidance issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) should significantly streamline the Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) system, changes long advocated by a coalition of consumer and seniors groups, insurers and other businesses. Assuming CMS expands the $25,000 claims threshold as indicated in today's guidance, this will be a significant improvement to the MSP process.

Washington, DC-Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Jeff Sessions (R-AL) have reintroduced the Foreign Manufacturers Legal Accountability Act of 2011 (S.1946), requiring foreign manufacturers to have a registered U.S. agent that would accept service of process for civil and regulatory claims.

Washington, D.C. -As the U.S. Chamber's Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) holds its annual summit - a strategy session on eliminating Americans' access to the civil justice system - a new report exposes ILR's corporate board members that hypocritically use the courts for their own gain against competitors, customers and even each other.

Washington, DC- Today, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report - requested by House Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith - detailing the role and administration of asbestos trusts. The report refutes claims made by the U.S. Chamber and asbestos manufacturers, finding that the trusts are transparent and have measures in place to prevent fraud.

Washington, DC-In order to steamline the broken Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) system to better serve America's seniors and taxpayers, Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Rob Portman (R-OH), Ben Nelson (D-NE) and Richard Burr (R-NC) have introduced the bipartisan Strengthening Medicare and Repaying Taxpayers (SMART) Act.

Washington, DC-Gary M. Paul was announced as the new president of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) at their annual convention in New York City. Mr. Paul will lead AAJ in its continued mission to protect the legal rights of Americans when they are injured by negligence or misconduct, even when it means taking on the most powerful corporations and interests.