Washington, D.C. — Today, Protecting American Consumers Together (PACT) released a new survey of registered California voters gauging their views on the growing cost of living for California families and the impact of lawsuit abuse on household expenses. Conducted between May 19 and May 22 by Public Opinion Strategies, the survey reveals that 90% of California voters report increases in their cost of living over the past year, and nearly 3 of every 4 voters (72%) recognize lawsuit abuse as a key driver of rising costs for California families. Furthermore, a bipartisan majority of California voters (83%) want their legislators in Sacramento to take action on lawsuit abuse reform. 

Most striking, of the California voters who have hired a personal injury attorney, a majority support reforming the system. 1-in-5 Californians have hired a personal injury attorney, and 62% of those are in favor of reforming California’s legal system. 74% of registered Democrats who have hired a personal injury attorney believe that even if California regulates personal injury attorneys, victims will still get what they deserve in injury cases. 

“California legislators have a mandate to fix a legal system that incentivizes fraudulent and predatory behavior that results in higher cost of living for all Californians,”said PACT Executive Director Lauren Zelt. “Voters have made clear they want action, and support legislation that will help address the affordability crisis  and introduce greater transparency and fairness to the California justice system.”

Note: A copy of the polling memo can be read here.

Note: A copy of the poll can be read here. 

Poll Highlights: 

• 93% give the State Legislature “poor” or “fair” ratings on holding down the cost of living for California families
• 90% say their overall cost of living has gone up over the past year.
• 86% say their state legislator should vote to stop lawsuit abuse rather than protecting personal injury lawyers
• 83% say it is important to them personally for the California Legislature to enact reforms to eliminate the $5,500 hidden tax imposed on California families by lawsuit abuse.
• 72% say that lawsuit abuse is a key driver of rising costs for California families
• 62% of Californians who have personally used a personal injury lawyer support lawsuit abuse reforms.

The survey was conducted by Public Opinion Strategies among 1000 registered voters in California between May 19 and May 22. The survey has a margin of error of +/- 3.10%. The memo can be found here. The survey, including the methodology, is available here. 

Note: For interviews to discuss the polling results, please email laurenzelt@protectingamericanconsumers.org