taylor@hplabsc.UUCP (06/28/86)
le actions have led to many lawsuits against A.H.Robbins
Co. for selling a dangerous product -- in full knowledge of its danger.
Robbins is not in bankruptcy because someone made a design mistake;
they are in because someone tried to cover up the danger in order to
enhance profits. Much of the damage could have been averted by
removing the product from the market and recalling the defective
device.
Tanner Andrews, Systems
CompuData South, DeLand
[Wow! Not such a good example after all, I guess. Indeed, if the company
was guilty of criminal negligence, as appears to be the case, then they
should certainly be held responsible.
The problem arises when we expect 'institutions' to be perfect, I think.
They all-too-easily fall into the trap of agreeing, and then, instead of
occasionally admitting fault, hide it and act innocent. The example that
comes to mind is medical malpractice - we expect our medical people to be
absolutely perfect, and when they make mistakes (e.g. the wrong drug
prescribed) society shuns them. Other medical people see this reaction
and are even more pressured into hiding their mistakes...
A tough circle to break out of. -- Dave]taylor@hplabsc.UUCP (Dave Taylor) (07/01/86)
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This article is from ihnp4!opus!ki4pv!tanner@hplabs.HP.COM
and was received on Wed Jun 25 17:59:47 1986
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You are in error in yr description of the A.H.Robbins action with the
Dalkon Shield. They did indeed, without criminal intent, devise such
a device. They then (again without criminal intent or negligence --
their best knowledge was that it was safe) placed it on the market.
It was then discovered that the device sometimes had unexpected
side-effects, e.g. sterilization, horrible infections, death, &c.
They were made aware of these side-effects. Rather than withdraw the
device from the market, or even warn the customers of the possible
side-effects, they kept the information as secret as they could.
They did not recall their dangerous product. It was not even withdrawn
from the market for some time. This was the criminal intent.
Such irresponsible actions have led to many lawsuits against A.H.Robbins
Co. for selling a dangerous product -- in full knowledge of its danger.
Robbins is not in bankruptcy because someone made a design mistake;
they are in because someone tried to cover up the danger in order to
enhance profits. Much of the damage could have been averted by
removing the product from the market and recalling the defective
device.
Tanner Andrews, Systems
CompuData South, DeLand
[Wow! Not such a good example after all, I guess. Indeed, if the company
was guilty of criminal negligence, as appears to be the case, then they
should certainly be held responsible.
The problem arises when we expect 'institutions' to be perfect, I think.
They all-too-easily fall into the trap of agreeing, and then, instead of
occasionally admitting fault, hide it and act innocent. The example that
comes to mind is medical malpractice - we expect our medical people to be
absolutely perfect, and when they make mistakes (e.g. the wrong drug
prescribed) society shuns them. Other medical people see this reaction
and are even more pressured into hiding their mistakes...
A tough circle to break out of. -- Dave]