Stopping Lawsuit Abuse Starts With You

Stopping lawsuit abuse starts with you. You have the power – and the responsibility – to bring common sense back to our civil justice system so it works for all of us. You can make a difference as a consumer, a watchdog, a citizen and a voter.

As a Consumer

The choices we make as legal consumers determine whether we are part of the solution or part of the problem. Be a wise legal consumer:

• Evaluate if a lawsuit is warranted. Too many people use lawsuits as response to any problem or seek to blame others by suing them instead of taking responsibility for their own actions. Honestly evaluate whether there really has been an injury that warrants a lawsuit.
• Consider alternative solutions. If legal action is needed, consider alternative options, such as arbitration, that can offer easier, faster and less stressful ways to resolve a dispute and provide appropriate compensation.
• Don’t be lured into lawsuits. Don’t join a lawsuit if you haven’t been harmed, including class actions. Be on guard against aggressive efforts to convince you to file a lawsuit – especially if a personal injury lawyer seeks you out. This is barratry (better known as ambulance chasing) and it is illegal in many states. Also, lookout for lawsuit loans. Many plaintiffs in lawsuits are approached by lawsuit lending companies, which offer money upfront that you have to repay after you win a court award or settlement. But here’s the catch: the terms of these loans are often unclear, and they typically come with hidden fees and extremely high interest rates. It’s not uncommon for people who take out lawsuit loans to end up owing more than they borrowed!
• Do your research. If you need to consult a lawyer, choose your counsel wisely –make sure you hire someone who is qualified, has high ethical standards and is acting in your interests rather than in their own financial interest.
• Be your own best defense. If you own or operate a business, you should be aware of the factors that can increase your liability. By understanding your rights, asking the right questions and being aware of potential pitfalls, you can be your own best defense against abusive lawsuits.

As a Watchdog

“If you see something, say something” we’ve all seen the signs asking citizens to report suspicious activity. We need to do the same thing on lawsuit abuse. Lawsuit abuse is everywhere, and we need your help to call it out and condemn it when you see it. By challenging lawsuit abuse when you see it, you can send the message that lawsuit abuse is unacceptable. Be a Lawsuit Lookout and tell us what’s happening in your community.

As a Voter

Personal injury lawyers spend tens of millions of dollars in campaign contributions to elect candidates who will help further a lawsuit-creation agenda. We must tell our candidates and elected officials that we – the people who elect them — expect them to work to stop lawsuit abuse, not create more ways to sue and enrich the personal injury bar.

When you educate yourself and support candidates who support legal reform, you’re taking an important step to stop lawsuit abuse where it starts – with bad laws that encourage abuse – and bring fairness and balance back to our civil justice system.

Contact your legislators and ask them where they stand on the issue of lawsuit abuse.