Ten Years of Reform in Mississippi!

In the early 2000s, Mississippi – home of notorious trial lawyer Dickie Scruggs – had a reputation as the nation’s capital for “jackpot justice.” One outrageous verdict after another drove businesses away, and high malpractice premiums left the state’s healthcare system in a crisis. Jefferson County, a favorite venue of trial lawyers, had more plantiffs in mass tort lawsuits than residents!

But in 2004, the state legislature took steps to turn the state around through common sense legal reforms, like caps on damages and restrictions on venue shopping. Since the landmark reforms, Mississippi has attracted new jobs – including a Toyota manufacturing plant as a direct result of legal reforms – and medical liability insurance premiums have fallen more than 60 percent. 

The 10th anniversary of these reforms in coming up on May 14, and we hope you join in on the celebration. Reform works for Mississippi, and it can work for your state too!