THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, July 3, 1994                   TAG: 9407010024
SECTION: COMMENTARY               PAGE: J4   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   34 lines

BILL IS DANGEROUS TO HEALTH

The Senate will soon consider SB 687, the misnamed ``Product Liability Fairness Act.'' This bill is anything but fair to consumers who are seeking redress from corporations that place dangerously defective products in the stream of commerce. Consumers already face enormous hurdles when they take on manufacturers of dangerous products. This bill would only make matters worse for innocent victims.

Manufacturers must be held responsible for the harms their products cause. If they are shielded through legislation like SB 687, the result will be more dangerous products and more injured victims. The Senate should resoundingly reject legislation which serves profit motives over public safety.

As a victim of an unsafe product, my health and life have been permanently ruined and devastated, and what is normal life to the vast population is now daily life-threatening to me. The adverse affects also have reached deep into my family, and because of what appears to be consideration of money over human health and life, more and more innocent people are daily becoming adversely affected.

I would strongly urge all concerned citizens to call and write Senators Robb and Warner, since both seem inclined to vote in favor of this bill, and voice strong opposition to their ``yes'' vote.

BRENDA S. SMITH

Virginia Beach, June 14, 1994 by CNB