Issue summaries:
Frivolous lawsuits

What are frivolous lawsuits?

These are lawsuits that target food, and the restaurants that serve it, as the cause of obesity. For example, someone who decides to sue McDonald's because eating too many hamburgers caused unwanted weight gain.

How would this affect restaurants?

While all such lawsuits have eventually been dismissed, they are still costly and time consuming for food companies to defend against. To date, lawsuits have been filed only against major restaurant corporations. Still, lawsuits could also be filed against smaller establishments, making them a potential danger to our entire industry.

Where does WRA stand on this issue?

Lawsuits will not solve the problem of obesity. American consumers know they are responsible for their own dietary choices, and they don't want government or anyone else telling them what to eat.

WRA introduced the Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act to provide protection for restaurants and other food companies against such lawsuits. This bill was passed by both the Wisconsin Assembly and Senate, but was vetoed by Governor Doyle. WRA plans to reintroduce the measure next legislative session.

Update:

26 states have introduced legislation to protect restaurants from frivolous lawsuits. Laws have already been passed in 12 of these states. There is also federal legislation pending. See map.