I'm not sure that the "the public" doesn't win in some of these suits even IF costs get passed on. The fact that a large company would lose a lawsuit by definition makes them liable.

Take the Ford Explorer rollover issue. I could give a shiat because I don't own a Ford. But if your family was killed in a rollover incident that Ford could have predicted but covered up, wouldn't you feel like they were liable? Or what about tobacco companies saying they have no data that would indicate tobacco is addictive? Or is that just liberal trial lawyers acting up again? Do you see my point? I realize that people can go over the top with lawsuits but I'd say a lot of that is spin and using the exception to the rule to make a point.

I guess people just have a lot more faith in the government and the private sector than I do. There is a book called "What's wrong with Kansas" that many would benefit from reading.