Civil Justice Project

Public Citizen is leading the fight to protect consumers’ access to justice. Through our Civil Justice Project, we use a three-pronged approach — legislative advocacy, litigation and research — to preserve an individual's right to seek redress through the courts.

Our Issues

Fighting Corporate Preemption Theories		Preserving Class Action Fairness
	Public Citizen's attorneys have handled several major tort preemption cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. Our lobbying team opposes legislation that would preempt consumer remedies and assists in drafting policy proposals that protect consumers' rights under both state and federal law.		Class actions often offer the only viable way to hold corporations accountable for practices that harm consumers. Public Citizen defends the right to bring a class action suit in the courts and on Capitol Hill.

Eliminating Forced Arbitration		Defending Medical Malpractice
	Public Citizen fights in Congress and through the courts to eliminate forced arbitration clauses in consumer and employment contracts.		Each year it becomes more difficult for victims of medical errors to obtain reasonable compensation for their injuries. Public Citizen advocates for patients' rights.

Promoting Real Financial Reform		Improving Workplace Safety
	In the wake of the financial crisis, we have intensified our efforts to hold Wall Street accountable for harmful practices and improve the regulation of banks, credit card companies, mortgage lenders and debt collectors.		Public Citizen has petitioned the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to set exposure standards for a number of toxic chemicals to which many workers are chronically exposed on the job.

Protecting Workers' Rights		Ensuring Safe Products
	Public Citizen defends employees' rights to free speech and a fair workplace. Public Citizen also fights to protect whistleblowers and works to end retaliation against those who speak against wrongdoing by corporations and the government.		A recent Public Citizen report shows 10 simple patient safety measures would save an estimated 85,000 lives and $35 billion a year. Public Citizen promotes the safety of consumer products, drugs and medical devices.

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Learn More about the distinction between these two components of Public Citizen.

Public Citizen, Inc. and Public Citizen Foundation

Together, two separate corporate entities called Public Citizen, Inc. and Public Citizen Foundation, Inc., form Public Citizen. Both entities are part of the same overall organization, and this Web site refers to the two organizations collectively as Public Citizen.

Although the work of the two components overlaps, some activities are done by one component and not the other. The primary distinction is with respect to lobbying activity. Public Citizen, Inc., an IRS § 501(c)(4) entity, lobbies Congress to advance Public Citizen’s mission of protecting public health and safety, advancing government transparency, and urging corporate accountability. Public Citizen Foundation, however, is an IRS § 501(c)(3) organization. Accordingly, its ability to engage in lobbying is limited by federal law, but it may receive donations that are tax-deductible by the contributor. Public Citizen Inc. does most of the lobbying activity discussed on the Public Citizen Web site. Public Citizen Foundation performs most of the litigation and education activities discussed on the Web site.

You may make a contribution to Public Citizen, Inc., Public Citizen Foundation, or both. Contributions to both organizations are used to support our public interest work. However, each Public Citizen component will use only the funds contributed directly to it to carry out the activities it conducts as part of Public Citizen’s mission. Only gifts to the Foundation are tax-deductible. Individuals who want to join Public Citizen should make a contribution to Public Citizen, Inc., which will not be tax deductible.

To become a member of Public Citizen, click here.
To become a member and make an additional tax-deductible donation to Public Citizen Foundation, click here.

For More Information

Civil Justice Trustees

Supporter Spotlight

Cy Pres Awards

Civil Justice Project

Our Issues

Fighting Corporate Preemption Theories

Preserving Class Action Fairness

Eliminating Forced Arbitration

Defending Medical Malpractice

Promoting Real Financial Reform

Improving Workplace Safety

Protecting Workers' Rights

Ensuring Safe Products

Public Citizen, Inc. and Public Citizen Foundation

To become a member of Public Citizen, click here. To become a member and make an additional tax-deductible donation to Public Citizen Foundation, click here.

To become a member of Public Citizen, click here.
To become a member and make an additional tax-deductible donation to Public Citizen Foundation, click here.