WHISTLE-BLOWING or SWITCHING SIDES
I began, in 1965, working as a technical assistant to lawyers representing General Motors. ATLA, the organization of plaintiff’s trial lawyers was attacking the Chevrolet Corvair, which was truly dangerous for reasons aside from the location of the engine and/or the semi-swing axle.
In 1983 I switched sides, working for plaintiff's attorneys who I considered to be crusaders for advanced crash protection, such as air bags. By then the GM defense system was huge and well funded, able to lobby strongly against Federal imposition of automobile safety standards. Nevertheless, with the aid of well placed publicity (think Consumer Reports) we were able to convince the auto industry, especially the import makers, that safety systems would enhance sales as well as safety. GM, Ford and Chrysler continued to fight and stall with congress even as the (then) small-guys Toyota
But – in the end I had to retire when the Nader-type crusaders were replaced by lawyers who wanted to benefit from my hard-earned winner reputation. After reviewing and rejecting their potential case, I would be asked to tell a fictitious story just to push the big-three car maker into a settlement.
So, as far as I can tell, there are bad guys on both sides of the personal injury / product liability wars.
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