Lifespring, founded in 1974, was a private, for-profit, new age-human potential training company. Lifespring claims more than 400,000 people participated in its trainings. The company, which promoted itself through books and word-of-mouth advertising, was the subject of investigative reports by the media, and was criticized by a few former staff members and participants. At least 30 lawsuits sought to hold Lifespring responsible for participants' deaths or their mental damages. The company paid to settle some of the suits before trial and in other cases lost jury decisions.