Ralph Nader's tort law museum opens without a bang
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Tort reform has vexed insurers and corporate lawyers for decades, and now there’s a place to explore the subject under one roof.
Consumer advocate, former presidential candidate and — some might say — political gadfly Ralph Nader has opened his long-envisioned American Museum of Tort Law in Winsted, Connecticut.
“There may not be another law museum in the world.” Mr. Nader told the Washington Post. “It involves everybody. It’s not legal jargon. It’s fascinating stories.”
Known for decades of consumer safety advocacy that often won change, one of his most famous successes is prominently displayed: a 1963 Chevrolet Corvair. The cars eventually were taken out of production, due in large part to Mr. Nader’s campaign about their dangers that led to a slide in sales.
The museum that sticks up for trial lawyers and victims alike opened Sept. 26 and reportedly offers visitors a crash course on several cases, such as the infamous McDonald’s coffee burn suit and an accidentally ignited rat. Admission is $7.
Mr. Nader put up $150,000 of his own money for the museum, and much of the remaining $2 million came from trial lawyers, according to the newspaper.
Insurers and corporate lawyers, of course, are welcome.
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