Preemption is not about the Essure women - it affects all consumers. If someone had a medical device installed, there's no recourse for victims, and the company is protected. If there's a problem, the company gets a pass because they have preemption. It dawned on me the consumer didn't know. The women didn't know that this existed.

In this quote, Erin Brockovich is addressing the issue of preemption in the context of medical devices, particularly the Essure contraceptive implant. Preemption refers to the legal principle that allows a federal law to override state laws, in this case, shielding companies from legal action if their products are approved by the FDA. Brockovich is concerned that consumers, specifically women who had Essure implants, are unaware that this protection exists, preventing them from seeking justice or recourse for any harm caused by the product.

She points out that preemption affects all consumers, not just those with Essure implants. If a person suffers due to a medical device that has been approved by the FDA, the manufacturer can be shielded from lawsuits because of this legal protection. In essence, companies are given a pass for harmful products that may have serious consequences for individuals, creating a situation where consumers are left without the option to hold the company accountable for damages.

Brockovich's realization comes from her advocacy work, where she learned that the women who had been implanted with Essure were not informed about the implications of preemption. These women, often victims of serious health complications, had no idea that their legal rights were limited due to this law, which blocked their ability to sue for damages. She emphasizes that the lack of transparency and the lack of consumer knowledge about such legal protections is a significant problem.

Overall, Brockovich's quote highlights the systemic issue of consumer protection in the context of medical products and the legal barriers that prevent accountability. Her advocacy sheds light on how laws like preemption can disproportionately affect vulnerable individuals, leaving them without proper legal avenues for justice.