Southfield, MI: 7/26/02: A recent lawsuit claiming that America’s fast-food restaurants are responsible for making their customers obese is another “cheesy” example of the huge appetite personal injury lawyers have for filing lawsuits, but most Americans are fed up with this kind of abuse of our courts, said M-LAW President, Robert B. Dorigo Jones today.

Dorigo Jones’ comments were in response to a lawsuit that has been filed by New York lawyer, Samuel Hirsch, who says the multibillion-dollar fast food industry has an obligation to warn consumers like his client of the so-called dangers of eating from their menus. “The last thing America needs is another warning label about the effects of supersizing our french fries,” added Dorigo Jones. Every year, M-LAW publishes a list of the wackiest warning labels found on consumer products.

“Lawsuits like this are a threat to the concept of personal responsibility in our society,” said Dorigo Jones. “While obesity is a serious issue, no one is forcing consumers to eat cheeseburgers instead of salads. Mr. Hirsch’s client has several options if he wants to improve his health including eating a balanced diet and exercising.”

“Most Americans believe in the importance of personal responsibility, and we want our court system to stand up for common sense. This lawsuit will give at least one judge the opportunity to restore America’s confidence in our justice system.”

M-LAW, short for Michigan Lawsuit Abuse Watch, is a non-partisan organization created to increase public awareness of how frivolous lawsuits drive up the cost of consumer products and affect the way Americans work and live.