Activists and Organizations Working on Specific Civil Justice Issues

Asbestos

  Congress is considering the Asbestos Bailout Bill that would harm families injured by dangerous asbestos. Learn more from USAction.

Health Care Accountability

Oregonians voted last November against limiting jury decisions in cases of severe medical negligence. But spurred by the Bush Administration, Congress is considering a similar bill that would limit victims' rights in cases of severe medical negligence. Learn more about a number of citizen groups fighting this proposal.

Faulty Construction

The civil justice system remains one of the few powerful resources for consumers whose homes have been ruined or damaged by faulty construction.  The Oregonian's 2005 investigative report exposed the extent of construction defects and highlighted cases where consumers held builders accountable for those defects. The series also led the Oregon Legislature to establish a task force whose mission is to reduce construction claims while promising safeguards for consumers. There is no consumer representative on this task force. So your comments as a consumer are necessary to ensure those safeguards. * Visit the website for the State Task Force  * Renee Haynes, whose story is told here, has turned her experience with shoddy construction into activism. She is organizing other homeowners and consumers to testify at each meeting of the task force with the goal of protecting other homeowners from faulty construction. To reach Renee, email rhaynes668@aol.com or call 503-668-0889 * Homeowners Against Deficient Dwellings is a national organization.  Oregon representatives are Renee Haynes and Jim Varco.

Other

(To request a link to the Oregon Jury Project site, email info@oregonjuries.org).