“Tort reform” is a phrase many Americans have heard, but few really understand. At its core, it’s about protecting people–consumers, plaintiffs, and small businesses–from a legal system that too often rewards frivolous lawsuits and abusive legal tactics. A fair and transparent legal system should deliver justice, not exploitation.

When the system is abused, the real victims are not just the small businesses dragged into court. They are the families who see higher grocery bills, motorists paying inflated insurance premiums, and the victims whose legitimate claims get diminished.

That’s why tort reform matters: it safeguards fairness, protects those who truly need justice,and helps keep costs down for everyone.

This week, PACT released the first video in a new series educating consumers about America’s civil justice system, and how it negatively impacts families, the economy, and the victims caught up in the system.

Across the country, there is growing momentum for lawsuit abuse reform. The results speak for themselves. In 2023, Governor Ron Desantis and the Florida legislature successfully passed lawsuit abuse reforms. And today, Floridians are reaping the benefits in the form of significantly decreased costs:

Florida drivers may be getting a better price on their auto insurance.

According to the State Office of Insurance Regulation, car insurance rates among the five largest carriers in Florida have decreased by an average of 6.5% this year…

Officials attributed the decrease to recent insurance tort reforms passed by the state legislature.

This year, in Georgia, PACT was at the forefront of the effort to pass important lawsuit abuse reforms in the Peach State. As Governor Brian Kemp said when he signed lawsuit abuse reform into law, tort reform means lower costs and better jobs for Georgia families:

As a result of this collective effort and outpouring of support from Georgians of all backgrounds, Georgia continues to move in the right direction as we work to stabilize costs and compete for economic opportunities that will create good paying jobs for hardworking Georgians across our state.

While residents of Florida and Georgia are already seeing the benefits of lawsuit abuse reform, a strong majority of voters across the country are urging their elected leaders to take similar action. These reforms lower costs for consumers and improve the business climate for small businesses. Americans cannot afford to wait for lawsuit abuse reforms.