Skip to main content
EVENT TRACKER
Keep track of rescheduled, canceled industry events with our COVID-affected event tracker - Powered by Snap Finance
Close
Sister Publication Links
  • Rubber & Plastics News
  • European Rubber Journal
tb-logo
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • OPINION
    • CORONAVIRUS
    • AUTO INDUSTRY
    • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
    • COMMERCIAL TIRE
    • FACTORY FIXES
    • GOVERNMENT & LAW
    • INTERNATIONAL
    • MOTOR SPORTS
    • NEW PRODUCTS
    • RETAIL TIRES
    • SERVICE ZONE
    • SEMA/AAPEX
    • SMALL BUSINESS
    • TIRE MAKERS
    • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • New round of Paycheck Protection Program funding opens
      Vaccine may usher sense of normalcy
      Cover-up: More retailers requiring face masks to curb COVID
      USW alleges COVID-19 violations at Kumho plant
    • Denso hires Joseph Wright as operations director
      Johnson named president, managing partner of Arnold Motor Supply
      Conti starts production of ‘HL' load index tires for select OE customers
      GM banking on 'BrightDrop' EV to build commercial van business
    • Q3 results disappoint for Monro, but business is trending up
      Hankook, Revvo team up to trial 'smart' tire technology in California
      ITC votes to keep duties in place on China P/LT tire imports
      NLRB certifies USW as bargaining unit for Kumho plant in Georgia
    • Goodyear, ConMet to develop tire/wheel-end digital analytics system
      Hankook, Revvo team up to trial 'smart' tire technology in California
      Love's plans to add over 30 stores in 2021 with Truck Care/Speedco services
      Linglong planning U.S. launch of 'Hubtrac' truck tire brand in 2021
    • ITC votes to keep duties in place on China P/LT tire imports
      Hwa Fong joins Taiwan tire makers' bid for alternative to import duties
      New stimulus package fixes PPP loan confusion
      USW opposes Taiwan tire makers' dumping counterproposal
    • Nokian's latest studded winter tire line to be available this summer
      Goodyear to install dynamic driving simulator at Luxembourg site
      ITC votes to keep duties in place on China P/LT tire imports
      Air France renews tire supply deal with Michelin
    • New NASCAR, F1 tire designs delayed due to COVID
      U.K. race series extends contract with Goodyear through 2026
      Goodyear Racing staying on track
      General Tire Canada renews sponsorship deal with Raceline Network
    • Nokian's latest studded winter tire line to be available this summer
      Hunter adds ‘FastBlast' bead-seating for LT/SUV tire changing
      Linglong planning U.S. launch of 'Hubtrac' truck tire brand in 2021
      Hankook doubles size range of Ventus V2 all-season UHP line
    • Q3 results disappoint for Monro, but business is trending up
      TIA to offer retail store leadership training course 5 times in 2021
      Updated ALI lifting points guide covers vehicle model years 2000-2021
      VIP Tires opens 20th store in New Hampshire, in Keene
    • Updated ALI lifting points guide covers vehicle model years 2000-2021
      Hunter adds ‘FastBlast' bead-seating for LT/SUV tire changing
      Johnson named president, managing partner of Arnold Motor Supply
      AMRA to host 5 educational webinars in Feb., March
    • WTC hosting webinar Jan. 20 on load-capacity standards
      Denver's Brian Sump named AAPEX Shop Owner of the Year
      DUB, TIS Wheels founder Myles Kovacs is SEMA Person of the Year
      AAPEX: Using social media to promote your business
    • New stimulus package fixes PPP loan confusion
      Vaccine may usher sense of normalcy
      2020 Review: PPP loans give boost to small businesses
      Latest COVID relief bill includes $325B in small-business support
    • Hankook, Revvo team up to trial 'smart' tire technology in California
      ITC votes to keep duties in place on China P/LT tire imports
      Nokian Tyres to add up to 150 jobs at U.S. factory
      Hwa Fong joins Taiwan tire makers' bid for alternative to import duties
    • Sponsored By Yokohama Tire Company
      7 questions to ask consumers when they need tires for a crossover SUV
      Sponsored By Yokohama Tire Company
      Stocking Tires for Crossover SUVs
  • SHOP FLOOR
    • BALANCING
    • DEMOUNTING
    • SAFETY
    • TIRE REPAIR
    • TPMS
    • TRAINING
    • VEHICLE LIFTING
    • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Video: Balancing Tire
      Choosing the right balancing equipment
      Safety tips for wheel balancing
      An introduction to wheel balancing
    • Video: Demounting
      Demounting Equipment
      Making rims ready for a tight seal
      Tire changer types, tips and trends
    • Video: Safety
      Making friends with OSHA
      Ergonomics on the shop floor
      Customers
    • Video: Tire Repair
      Tire repair: Shining a light on visual inspections
      Staying safe when repairing a tire
      Essential tools, materials and equipment for tire repair
    • Video: TMPS Service
      Decoding sensor data for TPMS diagnosis
      Replacement TPMS sensor overview
      The life-saving work of TPMS
    • Video: Training
      Advantages of apprentice program partnerships
      Options and resources for CE tech training
      Internship ideas to attract tech talent
    • Video:Vehicle Lifting
      All types of lifts for all types of work
      Tips and recommendations for lifting safety
      The gravity of proper lift points
    • Video: Wheel Torque
      Using torque sticks to speed service times
      The danger of too much, too little torque
      The importance of torque specifications
  • Multimedia
    • VIDEOS
    • PHOTOS
    • PODCASTS
  • Events
    • ASK THE EXPERT
    • LIVESTREAMS
    • WEBINARS
    • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
  • Data
    • DATA STORE
  • Resources
    • DIRECTORY
    • CLASSIFIEDS
  • ADVERTISE
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
May 13, 1996 02:00 AM

PRODUCT LIABILITY BILL VETOED

Miles Moore
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    WASHINGTON-Business representatives-including those from the tire industry-greeted with disappointment President Clinton's long-expected May 2 veto of product liability reform legislation. ``There's been a lot of time and effort put into creating a product liability program that is equitable and has some meaning,'' said Peter J. Pantuso, vice president of public affairs for the Rubber Manufacturers Association. ``It was the best program we've seen in years.''

    The bill passed the House and Senate with victory margins well below the two-thirds majority needed to override a presidential veto.

    It would have capped punitive damages at $250,000 or twice compensatory damages, whichever was more (for companies with 25 or more employees) or less (for smaller firms).

    Judges, however, could have waived the punitive limit if they found companies guilty of ``egregious'' behavior in putting unsafe products on the market.

    Among other things, the bill also would have abolished joint-and-several liability; placed a 15-year statute of limitations on product liability lawsuits; and granted special protection against lawsuits for manufacturers of biomedical polymers and similar materials.

    In vetoing the bill, President Clinton acknowledged he supported and signed product liability reform as governor of Arkansas. But he found the punitive damages cap and statute of limitations in the federal legislation ``unfair'' to consumers.

    ``(T)his bill would hurt families without truly improving our legal system,'' he said. ``It would mean more unsafe products in our homes. It would let wrongdoers off the hook. I cannot allow it to become law.''

    Many business commenters accused Mr. Clinton of buckling under to trial lawyers' opposition to the bill in exchange for their support this election year.

    Prominent Democrats-including senators Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia and Christopher Dodd and Joseph Lieberman, both of Connecticut-worked hard for the bill's passage, noted Paul Huard, senior vice president of the National Association of Manufacturers.

    ``We are extremely disappointed that President Clinton, unlike many of his fair-minded Democratic colleagues, would put politics above his past principles and veto these necessary reforms,'' Mr. Huard said.

    Continued business protest may cause Mr. Clinton to change his mind in the future, according to Roy E. Littlefield III, government affairs director of the International Tire and Rubber Association. ``But we're not hopeful,'' he said.

    ##

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Tire Business would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor Don Detore at [email protected].

    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Newsletter Center

    Staying current is easy with Tire Business delivered straight to your inbox.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Subscribe to Tire Business

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • RSS

    Our Mission

    Tire Business is an award-winning publication dedicated to providing the latest news, data and insights into the tire and automotive service industries.

    tb-logo
    Reader Services
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Site Map
    • Industry Sites
    • Order Reprints
    • Customer Service: 877-320-1716
    Partner Sites
    • Rubber & Plastics News
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Automotive News
    • Plastics News
    • Plastics News China
    • Urethanes Technology
    RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Media Guide
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Classified Rates
    • List Rental
    • Digital Edition
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • OPINION
      • CORONAVIRUS
      • AUTO INDUSTRY
      • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
      • COMMERCIAL TIRE
      • FACTORY FIXES
      • GOVERNMENT & LAW
      • INTERNATIONAL
      • MOTOR SPORTS
      • NEW PRODUCTS
      • RETAIL TIRES
      • SERVICE ZONE
      • SEMA/AAPEX
      • SMALL BUSINESS
      • TIRE MAKERS
      • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • SHOP FLOOR
      • BALANCING
      • DEMOUNTING
      • SAFETY
      • TIRE REPAIR
      • TPMS
      • TRAINING
      • VEHICLE LIFTING
      • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Multimedia
      • VIDEOS
      • PHOTOS
      • PODCASTS
    • Events
      • ASK THE EXPERT
      • LIVESTREAMS
      • WEBINARS
      • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
    • Data
      • DATA STORE
    • Resources
      • DIRECTORY
      • CLASSIFIEDS
    • ADVERTISE
    • DIGITAL EDITION