Frivolous Lawsuit? | March 23 2010

A couple of weeks ago a Missouri jury awarded $11 million to some farmers who complained that a hog operation run by the large agricultural company Premium Standard was producing noxious odors. In response Premium Standard is trying to get the Missouri legislature to change state laws to limit suits against the company. According to supporters of Premium Standard “frivolous lawsuits” have the effect of jeopardizing everyone’s livelihood. We, of course, are in no position to judge the damage done to the farmers by the objectionable odors. There undoubtedly was a lot more to this case than just an unpleasant smell, but as happens so often when a big corporation is faulted by a jury, the response is “frivolous lawsuit.” Doesn’t it make sense to trust to a jury of citizens to make this determination? You can be sure that no court is going to let stand a verdict that is clearly unfair. Published on 2010-03-05, Page A1, Kansas City Star, The (MO) www.kansascity.com