ATRA: California Again Ranks As #1 'Judicial Hellhole'

Harsh Spotlight Also Falls on Civil Courts in Louisiana, New York City, West Virginia, Illinois and Florida

Important 'Special Feature' Looks at Trial Lawyers' Attempts to 'Circumvent' Federal Law Governing Adjudication of Class Actions

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Tort Reform Foundation issued its annual Judicial Hellholes® report today, naming civil courts in California, Louisiana, New York City, West Virginia, Madison and St. Clair counties in Illinois, and South Florida among the nation's "most unfair."  

"With both this annual report and a year-round website, our Judicial Hellholes program since 2002 has been documenting developments in jurisdictions where civil court judges systematically apply laws and court procedures in an unfair and unbalanced manner, generally to the disadvantage of defendants," began American Tort Reform Association president Tiger Joyce. 

"By spotlighting injustices, we have worked to educate the media, public and policymakers about problems and ways to improve the civil justice system," he continued.  "Though it can be tough to make progress in certain states where legislatures are effectively controlled by the plaintiffs' bar, our Judicial Hellholes program has been credited by judges, lawmakers and business leaders in a number of jurisdictions for sparking debates that led to reforms and better balanced civil courts, which in turn have helped promote economic growth and job creation.

"In addition to ranking and analyzing six 'Judicial Hellholes,' the places we consider the worst in which to face a lawsuit," explained Joyce, "this year's report also identifies 10 marginally less problematic jurisdictions on the 'Watch List,' along with some particularly bad court decisions we call 'Dishonorable Mentions.'

"But the Judicial Hellholes report always reports good news, too, and our 'Points of Light' section features several laudable court decisions and positive legislative reforms undertaken in 14 tort reform-minded states in 2013.  This year's Points of Light also include important actions taken by state attorneys general. 

"Finally, our latest report offers a Special Feature about some troubling attempts by plaintiffs' lawyers to circumvent the federal Class Action Fairness Act, by keeping massive, multi-state lawsuits in biased state courts, rather than having them heard in neutral federal courts," Joyce concluded.  

Full text of the 2013/2014 Judicial Hellholes report is posted here. 

-ATRA-

The American Tort Reform Association, based in Washington, D.C., is the only national organization dedicated exclusively to tort and liability reform through public education and the enactment of legislation.  Its members include nonprofit organizations and small and large companies, as well as trade, business and professional associations from the state and national level.  The American Tort Reform Foundation is a sister organization dedicated primarily to research and public education.

CONTACT: Darren McKinney 202.682.0084

SOURCE American Tort Reform Association