McD's cameo in a campaign against frivolous lawsuits

A business advocacy group aiming to curb bounty-hunting lawsuits has enlisted a restaurateur as its new poster person. But apparently the chain of which he is a part, a burger outfit called McDonald's, doesn't want a listing in the credits.

The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform has posted a video on its Faces Of Lawsuit Abuse website that stars Ron Piazza, identified as a fast-food restaurateur in Downey, Calif. The clip, also posted on YouTube, shows Piazza recounting how his Downey, Calif., restaurant was sued because a men's room mirror was two inches higher than the height standard indicated in American With Disabilities Act regulations.

Piazza explains that the violation innocently occurred because vandals had destroyed a mirror that was in compliance with the rules. Inadvertently, the staff had replaced it with a slightly shorter one. When Piazza learned of the inadvertent violation, he recounts on camera, he replaced it with a regulation mirror.

But in the meantime, he says, certain parties--identified by Piazza, but presumably disabled persons--visited the restaurant 27 times, saving their receipts as proof. About four months ago, they sued Piazza for failing to meet ADA specifications.

Piazza noted that his name and telephone number is on all of the restaurant's receipts. If the parties had a legitimate gripe, or felt the mirror's height was a problem for them, they could have called, he points out. He also asserts that they seemed organized, and the Chamber indicates that the same parties sued other restaurants in the area for ADA infractions.

The point is obvious: Bounty hunters picked Piazza's restaurants for one of their legal shake-downs. They did it in an opportunity-hunting fashion that has prompted some to tag the resulting legal actions as drive-by lawsuits.

What's puzzling is why Piazza's restaurant isn't identified by name. A Google search reveals that it's one of the original McDonald's unit, a store that opened back in 1953, when Speedee was still the concept's mascot. Indeed, the place is even listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Those details underscore how ridiculous the lawsuit is. Clearly the plaintiffs were aware of the restaurant's affiliation with such a deep-pocketed chain. And what better place to hunt for ADA infractions than in a 56-year-old facility?

Still, you have to wonder why McDonald's wouldn't allow its name to be mentioned. Perhaps it doesn't want to give other bounty hunters ideas. The Chamber's attempt to curb frivolous lawsuits may be ambitious indeed.

Here's the video:

Diet group vows to go gut-to-gut with fast food

An advocacy group called Corporate Accountability International sent letters today to the Big Four U.S. fast-food companies, basically telling them, “You’re mine, bitch.” As a simultaneous press announcement explained, the group is commencing a war to secure such concessions as having McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s/Arby’s and Yum! Brands pick up the health-care expenses for diet-related illnesses.

The Boston-based organization has targeted those companies and their nine chains, but its mission extends to the whole fast-food sector. For instance, it wants to stop fast-food advertising and promotions aimed at minors. It’s also calling on the business to “not interfere” in efforts to ban or limit fast-food sales.

“The campaign aims to stem the global tide of diet-related disease, in which fast food giants are playing a central role,” states the press release.

The 32-year-old CAI claims it’s been successful in curbing past abuses by corporate giants (and foodservice industry vendors) like Nestle and General Electric. Tobacco and bottled water, a major product line of Nestle, seem like particular areas of pressure.

The text of the letters was not disclosed, so it’s unclear if the tone was cordial, demanding or out-and-out threatening. I’m putting my money on the latter. Check out the group’s special industry-related website to find out why.