Legislators and Grassroots Supporters of Lawsuit Reforms Rally at State Capitol

SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Grassroots supporters of California Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) and the Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC) rallied in front of the State Capitol Building alongside legislators in support of lawsuit reforms that will help the state's lawsuit system serve the interests of ordinary people instead of lawyers.

"Abusive lawsuits are threatening small businesses all over the state," said Assembly Member Don Wagner (R-Orange), who spoke at the rally in support of his Assembly Bill 1948, which would help limit predatory lawsuits brought against businesses. "We need to protect small business owners from unscrupulous attorneys abusing our legal system to get rich."

In addition to lawsuit reforms, the activists focused on a proposed initiative that, if passed, would give businesses accused of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) violations a period of time to cure without penalty. The law, as it is written now, allows plaintiffs to file lawsuits against business owners that merely allege violations without giving the owners time to fix the alleged violation.

The rally was part of CALA and CJAC's sixth annual Day at the Capitol, which gives small business owners, community leaders and concerned citizens the opportunity to discuss the need to pass lawsuit reforms face-to-face with their legislators. More than 200 supporters attended this year's event – a more than fivefold increase since the first Day at the Capitol in 2011.

"California tops the list for states with rampant lawsuit abuse. We need to implement some laws that make our lawsuit system serve the interests of ordinary people," said Ken Barnes, Executive Director for California CALA.  "The victims of lawsuit abuse are often small business owners who would rather be serving their communities and providing jobs—not defending themselves against meritless lawsuits."

"Lawsuit abuse is out of control in California," said Kim Stone, President of CJAC. "We need common sense reforms to make sure that our courts are not exploited by lawyers for their personal financial gain."

California Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to educating the public about the negative effects of lawsuit abuse and challenging those who abuse our legal system for personal gain.

The Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC) is the only statewide association dedicated solely to improving California's civil liability system.

SOURCE California Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse