Posted on 07/23/2009 12:27:17 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
"Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
-- Emma Lazarus, "The New Colossus" (engraved on pedestal of Statue of Liberty)
Foreign litigants suing American companies for torts committed abroad hope the golden door swings open into American courtrooms, even when the conduct and events underlying their claims occurred in far-off lands and have no effect on U.S. citizens. With increased frequency, American companies conducting operations abroad face lawsuits in American courts by foreign plaintiffs seeking the benefits of the American system of justice.
Foreign plaintiff forum shopping affects not only the parties to the case, but impacts broader societal, economic and governmental interests as well. The Institute for Legal Reform, an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, contends that global forum shopping creates uncertainty for corporations operating in U.S. markets, discourages foreign investors in U.S. companies and compromises U.S. foreign relations by encouraging expansion of foreign court jurisdiction to counter American judicial expansion. (Global Forum Shopping Fact Sheet; last visited June 15, 2009).
(Excerpt) Read more at law.com ...
It’s easier than the lottery.
Comments? Yup. That oft mentioned poem is the result of Emma Lazurus' entry to a contest.
It had nothing to do with this country or it's desire to house the rest of the world.
It was all about the erection of the Statue de Liberte and the BASE upon which it was to be built. (they needed to raise money).
More certain too.
I dont see how US courts can rule in cases where the US jurisdiction does not reach, even if it involves “US” companies (whatever that means in the age of the giant mulitnationial).
i can’t believe this! This is outrageous!
It’s a stirring poem, but a stupid policy. Most rousing speeching advocate disasterous policies. Ask Albert Speer.
Agreed.
My gripe is that most believe the statue was built in response to a non existent US policy, ie the poem.
She wrote the darn thing to win $100.
Still remember the Indian guy who went into McDonald’s and had the fries, then sued for umpty million bucks when he “found out” there was beef residue in them.
And the chumps on the jury bent over for this massive con artist and awarded him millions!
Ka-ching - jackpot!
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If there is one thing that needs reforming in this country bigtime, it’s tort reform. These types of cases should not be allowed in our courts at all.
Who cares? The labor is soooo cheap. /s
Sueing a company at its place of incorporation is pretty much standard fare around the world. Of course there’s nowhere else where such ridiculous ‘damage’ amounts are awarded.
What’s worse, though, is that US courts allow suits against foreign companies for supposed torts occurring outside the US. Where’s the connection there? Some US judges must think they’re god-like.
How's that? The judges just have to empathize with the plaintiffs.
I agree!!!!
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