Tort law in state statute is incredibly dry, but it has an impact on this state and ultimately your family's bottom line, " Rep. Deanne Mazzochi wrote. | facebook.com/RepDeanneMazzochi
Tort law in state statute is incredibly dry, but it has an impact on this state and ultimately your family's bottom line, " Rep. Deanne Mazzochi wrote. | facebook.com/RepDeanneMazzochi
Republican lawmakers have criticized an uptick in "frivolous lawsuits" which they believe is not only costing taxpayers, but also impacting economic growth in the Prairie State.
Tort law is the civil law that protects people who have been harmed or hurt because of negligence or intentional actions, according to the American Museum of Tort Law. Some examples of torts include: assault, defamation, car crashes, medical malpractice, and animal attacks.
Illinois moved up on the "Judicial Hellhole" list put out by the American Tort Reform Association, something state Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst) wasn't surprised by.
"The Illinois Trial Lawyers Association is one of the most prolific donators to the campaign funds of the members of the majority party. Tort law in state statute is incredibly dry, but it has an impact on this state and ultimately your family's bottom line, " Mazzochi wrote in a a Facebook post. "In January of this year, during a lame duck session the Illinois House, on a party line vote, passed legislation making it even more lucrative to pursue frivolous lawsuits.
"Even the governor took issue with the bill and the impact it would have on healthcare and business costs, issuing his first ever full veto," she continued. "He signed a similar bill later in March. When I say the system works for the politically connected at the expense of everyday people, this is exactly what I mean."
In the most recent "Judicial Hellhole" list, Illinois placed fifth. The Center Square reported tort lawsuits in Illinois cost the state more than $9 billion in wages and $27.5 billion in economic output each year. The report also stated, "Lawsuit abuse imposes a 'tort tax' of $1,049 per Illinois resident."
State Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) has said the issue could impact businesses decision to invest or relocate to Illinois and changed needed to be made to prevent that from happening.
"Judicial Hellhole" credits a 2019 Illinois Supreme Court decision, in part, for the increase in tort cases. In that decision, the state Supreme Court ruled plaintiffs in Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) cases didn't have to claim they were harmed and could also seek "substantial civil penalties" should a company violate BIPA even if no damage was done to the plaintiff.
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