Skip to content

Pennsylvania Is Tied for Worst “Judicial Hellhole” in the Nation

Pennsylvania Is Tied for Worst “Judicial Hellhole” in the Nation

December 6, 2023

Pennsylvania Is Tied for Worst "Judicial Hellhole" in the Nation

NFIB State Director Greg Moreland released the following statement today in response to Pennsylvania’s 1st-place finish in the American Tort Reform Foundation‘s annual “Judicial Hellholes” report:

“Unfortunately, if unsurprisingly, Pennsylvania finds itself at the top of a list no state judicial system wants to be on. Nuclear verdicts, venue shopping, and questionable rulings have become a theme in Pennsylvania. This volatility in our judicial system reverberates throughout the small business community, as the Commonwealth’s small business owners become the subject of predatory attorneys looking to make a name for themselves.

“It doesn’t have to be this way. Pro-trial bar organizations within, and outside, the Commonwealth have spent tens of millions of dollars to achieve this hellhole status. It’s embarrassing.”

Small businesses are especially vulnerable when it comes to unwarranted and frivolous legal attacks. Small, family-owned businesses don’t have and can’t afford teams of lawyers to help defend them against every nuisance suit or frivolous accusation. When a small business is sued, it has to spend thousands of dollars to defend itself, even if the judge eventually throws out the case. Just one lawsuit can be enough to put a small business out of business.

Pennsylvania’s courts, specifically the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, share the unfortunate distinction of jointly being named the year’s No. 1 Judicial Hellholes, along with the courts of Georgia.

 >>>>> Click here to read the report.

###

For 80 years, NFIB has been advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals. NFIB is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and member-driven. Since our founding in 1943, NFIB has been exclusively dedicated to small and independent businesses, and remains so today. For more information, please visit nfib.com.

Get to know NFIB

NFIB is a member-driven organization advocating on behalf of small and independent businesses nationwide.

Receive our newsletter and email notification
Knowledge is power. Let us help you stay informed with breaking legislative news, regulatory updates, business tips, and more.

Related Articles

February 17, 2025
Watch Now: NFIB Unpacks Gov. Shapiro Budget Proposal
Hear from NFIB’s Greg Moreland on what the proposal includes for small bu…
Read More
February 4, 2025
Governor Shapiro’s Budget Proposal Hurts Main Street
NFIB responds to the governor’s proposed budget.
Read More
February 3, 2025
Vermont Capitol Update
In his budget address and other public comments, Governor Phil Scott called…
Read More
February 3, 2025
NY Capitol Update: 2025 Executive Budget Proposal
The state has estimated budget gaps of $6.5 billion in 2027, $9.8 billion i…
Read More

© 2001 - 2025 National Federation of Independent Business. All Rights Reserved. Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Accessibility