CHARLESTON – West Virginia Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse is joining advocates across the country this week in recognizing Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week.
WV CALA says the week, which is October 5-9 this year, shines a light on the injustices plaguing our civil justice system and highlights abuses and misuses of our courts to foster an honest dialogue on the need for reform.
The executive director of WV CALA says lawsuit abuse is not a victimless problem.
Thomas
“Lawsuit abuse is a hidden tax that every West Virginian pays, whether they realize it or not,” Greg Thomas said. “It shows up in what we pay for groceries, for health care and for insurance, and it falls hardest on the small businesses that are the backbone of our communities.
“When a family-owned business has to spend its time and money fighting a frivolous lawsuit instead of hiring, growing and serving its customers, all of us lose.”
Thomas said lawsuit abuse hampers economic growth, drives up costs for consumers and erodes public confidence in our legal system.
WV CALA says state residents pay an annual “tort tax” of $748 per resident through higher prices, insurance premiums and lost opportunities that is driven by the costs of “excessive and meritless litigation.”
Thomas said small businesses often bear the brunt of such litigation because unlike large corporations, the smaller businesses rarely have in-house legal teams or deep reserves to absorb the cost of defending a lawsuit, even one without merit.
He said the threat of costly litigation alone can undermine a small business’ ability to succeed. The most recent CALA Economic Impact Report showed lawsuit abuse cost West Virginians over 11,000 jobs last year.
Thomas said Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week is about holding courts, judges and elected officials accountable for everyone’s benefit by underscoring the urgency of reforms that ensure fairness for all.
He said WV CALA will continue to advocate for a more balanced civil justice system that serves the greater good, not just a select few.
“Fairness is at the heart of a just society, and lawsuit abuse threatens that fundamental value,” Thomas said. “West Virginia has made real progress in restoring balance to our courts, but the work is never finished.
“This week is a reminder that we must stay vigilant and keep pressing for a civil justice system where the rules are fair, the outcomes are predictable and every West Virginian – not just the personal injury lawyers – gets a fair shake.”
