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Signed copies of Ralph Nader's latest book, The Rebellious CEO, available in the gift shop.

Flaming Rat

Visit the museum

Fridays 12 - 5
Saturdays 12 - 5
Sundays 12 -4

Contact us if you would like to schedule a visit by appointment.

Take a virtual tour

Not in Winsted? No worries. You can walk through the digital museum and explore the exhibits.

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What is Tort Law?

It is the law that protects and compensates people who have been injured by the negligence, or recklessness, or intentional acts of wrongdoers.

Examples of Famous Tort Cases

hot coffee spilling

Liebeck v McDonald's

The famous case where Stella Liebeck received 3rd degree burns. She was one of hundreds that got burned.

Tobacco as skull and crossbones

The Tobacco Cases

The tobacco companies knew their products caused cancer and they lied about it.

Flaming Ford Pinto

Ford Pinto

Ford chose not to spend $8 per Pinto and opted to let folks die.

Learn More About Tort Law

Special episode of the Ralph Nader Radio Hour at the Tort Museum

Latest Tort News

Center for Justice & Democracy
How Low Can They Go? State Civil, Tort, Med Mal, Products Caseloads and Jury Trials
Many states compile annual civil case filing and jury trial statistics and provide their data to the National Center for State Courts.
November 28, 2023
The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)
Lawsuit claims insurer conned Iowa lawmakers into passing tort reform
MMIC, the lawsuit claims, used the lawsuit and the resulting jury award to persuade state lawmakers to pass tort-reform legislation that would save insurance companies millions by capping damages for malpractice that could be paid out to patients ...
November 24, 2023
Corporate Crime Reporter
David Engel on the Myth Of the Litigious Society
"[O]verall picture is that we are not a litigious society. We are not that different from other societies when it comes to use of tort law in particular. And the vast majority of people don’t go to lawyers and don’t file lawsuits.”
November 13, 2023
Forbes
Olaplex Lawsuit Update
Lawsuit alleges that Olaplex caused users to experience hair breakage, hair loss and scalp irritation.
November 9, 2023
Daily Caller
Hawaii Supreme Court Justice Handling Lawsuit Against Oil Companies Calls Climate Change An ‘Existential Threat’
The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that Honolulu’s lawsuit against oil and gas companies, which alleges companies deceived the public about the dangers of fossil fuels and seeks damages to cover the cost of climate change, can proceed to trial.
November 4, 2023
Associated Press
Lawyers spar over possibility of workers’ compensation for teacher who was shot by 6-year-old
Abby Zwerner is suing Newport News Public Schools for $40 million, alleging gross negligence against school administrators. But the school board is trying to block the lawsuit, arguing that Zwerner’s injuries fall under workers’ compensation.
October 27, 2023

What The

Press Says

Since 2015 we've won fans across the world and across the press.

Fun, creative, visually stunning and provocative. By emphasizing cases where the civil justice system led not only to compensation for injured parties, but also to changes in corporate practice that made everyone safer, the museum reveals the truth about tort law—and likely leaves visitors with more sympathy towards it.

Politico

The museum aims to describe the evolution of the law regarding negligence and liability, and it features some of the most groundbreaking cases of the late 20th century.

The New York Times

The museum’s mission is to restore the idea that personal-injury law is not a way to line the pockets of a few lucky lawyers but rather a way to hold the powerful to account. As presented by the museum, personal-injury law may be the only way to hold a corporation accountable to the people it has harmed.

The New Yorker

This nonprofit, educational institution aims to make people aware of tort law’s pivotal role in the protection of personal freedom and safety, and celebrates the historical and contemporary achievements of the civil justice system.

Forbes

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