DANGEROUS PRODUCTS
Today’s newspaper carried an article about Chinese drywall in the Southeast United States. Apparently, the drywall was installed when homebuilders decided they could get it cheaper than domestic drywall. Now it turns out the drywall emits toxic fumes that are damages the homes themselves, and perhaps even the residents.
We are lucky this didn’t happen in Utah. Many members of our Utah legislature are too eager to be swayed by lobbyists and give in on tort reform issues. In the past few years, our legislature has limted the rights of homeowners to sue builders for defects in construction materials and techniques. Our legislature has also limited our ability to hold someone accountable when defective products are shipped in from overseas.
While those measures may win legislators campaign contributions, they only make our society more dangerous. We end up in a situation where the reputable builders are forced out of business by price undercutting made possible by shoddy workmanship and materials.
It is now time for our legislators to hold true to the ideals our civil justice system has embraced for centuries. We must protect our right to trial by jury and hold people and businesses responsible when the hurt others.
