A new report says the state's judicial system continues to hurt small businesses.
NFIB State Director Dawn McVea says the American Tort Reform Foundation’s latest Judicial Hellholes report highlights the need for legislative action to balance the scale of justice in Louisiana.
The organization ranked Louisiana No. 7 on its annual list, citing a range of unique legal issues such as coastal litigation, insurance schemes, and a lack of transparency. ATRF estimates that lawsuit abuse and excessive tort costs cost the state billions of dollars in economic activity annually including the loss of 50,000 jobs a year.
“Main Street businesses are especially vulnerable when it comes to frivolous legal attacks,” McVea said. “Small, family-owned businesses don’t have teams of lawyers standing ready to help defend them against every nuisance suit or meritless claim. The cost of defending itself against just one disingenuous lawsuit can be enough to put a small business out of business.
“Our small business members are asking their legislators to support legislation balancing the scales of justice in next year’s legislative session.” Click here to read the full report.
