Lawsuits That Protect Us All

Although we do have a long history of inquisitive investigative reporters that find a crack in a corporation's veneer which ends up uncovering the truth behind some scandal (Ida Tarbell's History of Standard Oil) more often than not it is the diligence of plaintiffs' attorneys that shed light on the dirty backroom dealing that sometimes happens in big companies.

For example – Zyprexa.  The top selling antipsychotic drug made by Eli Lilly ($4.76 billion ins sales last year) that could cause significant weight gain leading to all sorts of other problems like high blood pressure and diabetes.

The company knew about these risks – and now we know about them too, thanks to the lawsuit that was brought by the state of Alaska against the company.  In March, Eli Lilly agreed to pay $15 million to settle the suit and at least another $1.2 billion to 28,500 people injured by the drug.

And there is more to come.  Nine other states have sued the company claiming that the company failed to warn about the risks associated with the drug and improper marketing.