NFIB State Director Ben Homeyer said today that South Carolina’s leading small business advocacy organization will key-vote S.244, legislation that would significantly reduce lawsuit abuse in the state. The measure is expected to come for a vote in the full Senate on Wednesday.

“By key-voting S.244, we’re making sure senators understand that small business owners overwhelmingly support this critical legislation and that we’ll report every vote on this bill to our members, their constituents.

“Our members believe people have a right to seek compensation if they’ve been wronged, but too often, lawsuits are filed just to take advantage of the system,” he said. “You shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s mistake just because their lawyer thinks you might have deeper pockets.

“Lawsuit abuse drives up insurance costs, which drives up the cost of doing business in South Carolina,” Homeyer  said. “S.244 is commonsense legislation that would help reduce frivolous and overreaching claims by ensuring that small business owners and other defendants are held liable only for their fair share of damages.”