US Paint bill seen as ‘disaster’

The American Insurance Association (AIA) is opposing a bill recently submitted to the Massachusetts legislature that would, according to the Association, “rewrite the rules of tort liability.” The AIA says that the bill, which has been admitted but not yet filed, would give the attorney-general the power to sue to recover government costs associated with lead paint poisoning. The bill authorises lawsuits against anyone involved in the manufacture, sale, distribution or promotion of lead used in paint. The AIA says that the bill is an “attempt to create new deep pockets” to pay for costs associated with lead paint.