The Frivolous Economic Arguments for “Tort Reform”

A new study by Washington D.C.-based think tank Economic Policy Institute undermines the economic arguments for “tort reform.” The report by Economist Lawrence Chimerine and Ross Eisenbrey shows there is no evidence that lawsuits brought by consumers harmed by dangerous products and services have had any negative effect on the economy or on insurance rates. Instead, their analysis shows that lobbyists have simply manufactured a “crisis” based on wildly overstated cost estimates that have been widely cited by lawmakers and the media to suit the agenda of special interest groups. See the full report, “The Frivolous Case for Tort Law Change.”

The Shigley Law Firm represents plaintiffs in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases statewide in Georgia, and in other states subject to the multijurisdictional practice and pro hac vice rules in each state. Ken Shigley was designated as a “SuperLawyer” in Atlanta Magazine and one of the “Legal Elite” in Georgia Trend Magazine. He is a Certified Civil Trial Advocate of the National Board of Trial Advocacy, Chair of the Southeastern Motor Carrier Liability Institute and former chair of the Georgia Insurance Law Institute. He particularly focuses on cases arising from truck wrecks and accidents (tractor trailers truck wrecks, semi truck wrecks,18 wheeler truck wrecks, big rig truck wrecks, log truck wrecks, dump truck wrecks).