Alliance Cheers, But McDonald Suit May Not Die

NU Online News Service, Jan. 23, 3:16 p.m. EST?A federal judge's rejection of a legal attack on Big Mac has drawn the praise of an insurance trade group and the promise of more legal action by the attorney who filed suit contending McDonald's food causes health problems for children.

The Alliance of American Insurers said it applauded the decision by U.S. District Court Judge Robert Sweet in Manhattan to dismiss a class-action lawsuit alleging McDonald's food caused the plaintiffs health problems including obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

"This lawsuit, while ending favorably for the defense--McDonald's--should send a clear signal that our legal system is under attack," said Kenneth Schloman, Alliance Washington counsel.

"While we certainly applaud Judge Sweet's decision as a victory for common sense, this is another example of the kind of lawsuit that is strangling our courts," Mr. Schloman said.

The Alliance said it supports civil justice reform with the goal of ensuring fairness, balance and predictability in America's legal system and actions like the McDonald's suit "drive up the cost of living for all Americans. And consumers, invariably, wind up footing the ?lawsuit tax' in the form of higher prices for goods and services."

A call to plaintiffs' attorney Samuel Hirsch in New York was not immediately returned. Mr. Hirsch said the lawsuit will be amended and refiled within a month, the Associated Press reported.

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Alliance Cheers, But McDonald Suit May Not Die

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