[sockhead]

Shakedown, exactly! Sadly most people do not understand that these lawsuits only enrich the lawyers and end up costing the consumer in higher cost of goods and services.

[Cboldt]

Most plaintiffs that have valid claims, good suits, they go through the wringer and come out the other end wishing they'd never set foot in a courthouse, the place of evil spirits.

Still, there really are some valid claims, and there are plenty of torts being committed. But the grease that keeps the system running is shakedown.