(The Center Square) − Louisiana’s judicial system is under scrutiny as record-setting legal verdicts, a plaintiff-friendly environment, and skyrocketing auto insurance costs continue to impact the state’s economy and residents.
Louisiana ranked as the 10th worst state for tort litigation in the American Tort Reform Foundation’s annual report .
According to the report, trial attorneys have poured $66.3 million into advertising in Louisiana from January 2023 to June 2024, emphasizing their stake in a legal environment that frequently produces massive settlements.
A study by Marathon Strategies cited by ATR found Louisiana courts issued $409 million in “nuclear verdicts” (awards exceeding $10 million) against businesses in 2023. The pharmaceutical, oil, and trucking industries were among the most frequent targets.
One particularly controversial case this year involved a St. Landry Parish jury awarding $220 million to an EMT injured in a collision between an ambulance and a pickup truck. The verdict included $155.5 million in non-economic damages, sparking debates over proportionality in the state’s civil justice system.