Fast Facts

  • In 2008, the U.S. tort system cost every American a “lawsuit tax” of $838. (The 2009 Update on U.S. Tort Cost Trends, Towers Perrin, December 2009)

  • Ten percent of every dollar spent on health care is attributed to the costs of liability and defensive medicine. (PriceWaterhouseCoopers, January 2006)

  • About 40 percent of medical malpractice lawsuits are groundless–meaning there is no evidence that a medical error was committed or that the patient suffered any injury. (Harvard School of Public Health, May 2006)

  • Nearly 9 out of 10 physician specialists believe there is a problem with medical expert witnesses providing testimony on issues beyond their specialties. (SOL and American Tort Reform Association National Survey, May 2007)

  • Nearly two-thirds of teachers and principals believe that the increased potential for legal challenge by students or parents has hurt their ability to do their job. (Harris Interactive, May 2004)

  • Between 1997 and 2004, personal injury lawyers spent over $34 million supporting candidates for the California legislature who will protect their lawsuit creation agenda. (Trial Lawyers Inc.: California, April 2005)

  • Nearly all physicians (95%) support the creation of a code of ethics to govern physicians’ conduct in providing expert witness testimony. (SOL National Survey, May 2007)

  • Small businesses typically spend about $5,000 to settle a legal dispute—about 10 percent of a small business owner’s average salary. (National Federation of Independent Business National Small Business Poll, 2005)

  • Almost 80 percent of Americans believe advertising by personal injury lawyers encourages people to sue even if they have not been injured. (SOL National Survey, August 2005)

  • Seventy-nine percent of Americans believe personal injury lawyer advertising encourages people to sue even if they haven't been injured. (SOL National Survey, August 2005)