Illinois’s Tort Climate Ranked 4th Worst in the Country

Illinois

by Mitch Hoban

Illinois’s Tort Climate is the fourth worst in the country, following New Jersey, New York and Florida, according to the U.S. Tort Liability Index: 2010 Report from the Pacific Research Institute (PRI).

Illinois’s monetary tort losses and litigation risks are high and its tort rules are relatively weak.  Illinois ranks third worst for monetary tort loss and fifth for highest litigation risk.  Its tort system imposes excessive and undue costs on the people of Illinois and results in forgone production of goods and services, higher prices, lower wages, restricted access to health care and decreased returns on investments.

According to co-author of the Index, Hovannes Abramyan, M.A., “Job growth was 57 percent greater in the 10 states with the best tort climates than in the 10 states with the worst tort climates.”

Illinois will face high and rising tort liability costs in the future if lawsuit abuse continues and reform is not enacted.  It needs comprehensive tort reform to reduce excessive costs, stimulate the economy and create job growth.