Following the American Tort Reform Foundation’s annual list of ‘Judicial Hellholes,” NFIB Pennsylvania State Director Greg Moreland issued the below statement on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas ranking 5^th on the list.

“Pennsylvania has a rampant lawsuit abuse problem that’s affecting our small businesses and their ability to grow and create jobs. Small business owners already face ongoing economic challenges and are now being targeted for predatory practices and litigation. These efforts only result in money being taken out of our local economy and small business employees. We are past due for meaningful reform, and this report highlights the urgency needed for Pennsylvania’s small businesses.”

In addition to the Philadelphia court’s ranking, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is on the watch list, after spending several years at the top of the list.

According to the report’s findings:

• Pennsylvania residents pay a “tort tax” of $2,451.24, and 163,115 jobs are lost each year due to excessive tort expenses.
• If Pennsylvania enacted specific reforms targeting lawsuit abuse, the Commonwealth would increase its gross product by $18.81 billion.

Click here to read the full report.