Do your part to stop lawsuit abuse

Lafourche courthouse back in business
November 3, 2009
Nov. 5
November 5, 2009
Lafourche courthouse back in business
November 3, 2009
Nov. 5
November 5, 2009

Dear Editor:


It seems every time we turn on the television, or drive past a billboard, we are bombarded by slick ads from personal-injury lawyers urging us to sue.

Got in a fender bender? Sue. Slipped and fell on a wet sidewalk? Sue. Ate too many Big Macs? Sue.


Too often, this “lawsuit-happy” mentality encourages people to find others to blame and file meritless suits in hopes of striking it rich. In the words of one infamous Louisiana lawyer, “Call me. I’ll make them pay.”


These promises of “jackpot justice” may sound good, but common sense tells us it’s just wrong. And while some seem to encourage meritless claims in hopes of getting lucrative settlements for themselves, it’s important to know that when it comes to lawsuit abuse-no matter who wins, we all pay.

We are all affected by lawsuit abuse in some way every day. Whether you are a doctor or small business owner who has been unfairly targeted by a personal injury attorney, a worker who has lost a job because your employer was slapped with a meritless suit and could no longer afford to pay your salary on top of endless legal bills, or a consumer who’s been forced to pay more to keep food on the table and a car in the driveway because out-of-control litigation helps drive up prices – we all feel the impact.

Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch is working to put the spotlight on the high cost of frivolous lawsuits with the observance of Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week, Nov. 1-7. This year’s theme is “Do Your Part.”

From serving on a jury, to contacting your elected officials in support of much-needed reforms, to being an active voter, especially in judicial elections – everyone has a role to play in the fight against lawsuit abuse. We hope you will join us in the effort to safeguard Louisiana’s civil justice system for those who truly need it and keep meritless claims out of our courts.

Melissa Landry,

Executive Director, La. Lawsuit Abuse Watch, Baton Rouge, La.