SCOOP: Plaintiffs’ lawyers donate big to Graham Platner as trial bar pushes healthcare bills in Congress

Plaintiffs’ attorneys are emerging as a significant source of financial support for Democratic candidate Graham Platner, according to a review of Federal Election Commission filings, raising new questions about the influence of the trial bar as Congress debates legislation that could benefit the legal industry.

FEC records show Platner has accepted thousands of dollars from attorneys affiliated with prominent personal injury, mass tort and class-action law firms.

Among them is Stephanie O’Connor of Douglas & London P.C., a firm known for personal injury, mass tort and class-action litigation. Records show O’Connor contributed $1,000 to Platner’s campaign.

Joseph P. Awad of Awad & Baker, a New York personal injury firm, contributed a total of $7,000 through two separate donations, according to FEC filings.

Moze Cowper of Cowper Law LLP contributed $5,000. Cowper Law advertises legal services involving medical device injuries, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death lawsuits, drug injury claims and class-action litigation.

The donations come as trial lawyers and allied progressive advocacy groups are increasingly active in Washington, pushing legislation and regulatory changes that critics say would create new opportunities for litigation.

Among the most closely watched proposals is the Medication Affordability and Patent Integrity Act, legislation currently under consideration in the Senate. Conservatives argue the bill would do little to lower prescription drug costs while creating new legal avenues that could generate substantial fees for plaintiffs’ attorneys.

Opponents contend the legislation would invite litigation over pharmaceutical patents, weaken intellectual property protections and increase legal costs throughout the healthcare system.

“Trial lawyers see dollar signs,” a Senate Republican source told the Washington Reporter. “The Medication Affordability and Patent Integrity Act is a gift to the plaintiffs’ bar. It’s not surprising to see trial lawyers supporting candidates who share their policy priorities.”

The legislation is not the only issue drawing attention from the legal industry. Trial lawyer organizations have also backed efforts to expand liability standards, increase opportunities for class-action litigation, challenge arbitration agreements and pursue broader legal claims against major industries ranging from healthcare to technology.