Last week, Bishop Dwight Williams, president of the California Senior Alliance, highlighted the negative impact of frivolous lawsuits on seniors’ cost of living. 

Bishop Williams wrote,

For seniors, the impact of frivolous lawsuits is more than an inconvenience, but poses a serious threat to their access to affordable, high-quality care. From nursing homes to in-home health care services, the financial and operational toll is ultimately being passed down to the people who rely on these services the most — California’s aging population.

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As a result of this unjust lawsuit abuse, liability insurance for long-term care facilities in California is among the highest in the nation, with costs continuously rising due to the constant threat of litigation.

Who pays the price? Seniors and their families.

For example, monthly fees for assisted living have increased 31% faster than inflation in the past two decades and now average $6,250 in California. For those on fixed incomes, even modest price hikes can force families to spend their entire lifesavings.

As the California legislature considers ways to improve cost of living for consumers, commonsense lawsuit abuse reform would dramatically help lower costs and improve the cost of living for California’s seniors. As Bishop Williams said, “Reforms that prioritize genuine consumer protection while curbing lawsuit abuse will help ensure that California’s seniors receive the care and dignity they deserve.”