For nearly two decades, there has been a concerted effort by many in corporate America (and particularly in the insurance and pharmaceutical industries), with the help of the political right, to convince the public that “frivolous lawsuits” filed by “trial lawyers” are a pandemic.  Those trumpeting this charge want the public to believe that the vast majority of personal injury lawsuits are “frivolous” and that these “frivolous lawsuits” are responsible for many of the woes that we face in this country, including high insurance rates, sky-rocketing medical costs, and a civil justice system that is out of control and has run amuck.  These frivolous trumpeters contend that “frivolous lawsuits” are the cause of high automobile insurance, high medical insurance, and high malpractice insurance for doctors and other professionals.  Armed with little more than a few catchy slogans and buzzwords, the frivolous trumpeters have been amazingly successful in deceiving the general public.