OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Two Oklahoma congressmen have introduced a measure meant to protect gasoline can manufacturers from frivolous lawsuits that can drive them out of business.
Congressmen Tom Cole and Markwayne Mullin introduced the legislation Wednesday. The Republican congressmen say the bill fills a gap in safety standards for the manufacture of gas cans. They say the gap hasn't made gas cans more dangerous but has allowed people who have emptied gas cans onto open flames to sue the manufacturers for damages.
The congressmen say Miami, Okla.-based Blitz USA was buried in bankruptcy in 2012 as it faced lawsuits alleging design flaws in containers.
They say the bill would mandate safety standards so gasoline can makers can get liability insurance to defend themselves against possible legal action.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.