Opponents of lawsuit abuse reform often argue plaintiff’s attorneys are doing a service to the people through their representation, but a new Wall Street Journal editorial highlights that is not the case in Los Angeles, California, which has seen lawsuit abuse “busting the city’s budget,” taking money from taxpayers and decreasing funding for vital city services. 

Litigation abuse is also busting the city’s budget, with payouts totaling $240 million in the last fiscal year and an estimated $301 million in the current one.

City administrative officer Matthew Szabo urged the Los Angeles City Council to curb the rampant lawsuit abuse in the California metropolis:

“Plaintiff attorneys are getting rich at the expense of taxpayers and city services,” Mr. Szabo told the City Council this week. “Every dollar that goes towards a liability payout due to a lawsuit is reducing a city service.” He urged council members to lobby Sacramento for tort reform. Alas, plaintiff attorneys are nearly as powerful as public unions in Sacramento.

Watch the exchange here:

Lawsuit abuse is costing Californians thousands of dollars each year. The costs associated with excessive litigation totaled $5,429 per household in California in 2022  – the fifth highest in the nation. 

Lawsuit abuse continues to run rampant across the nation. While plaintiff attorneys fill their pockets, consumers are paying the price with reduced public services and higher prices. The next time your bus is delayed, think about the cost paid to personal injury lawyers.