Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) announced that the Fourth Circuit’s public nuisance rulings, the Colorado Court’s decision-making, and Ohio appellate courts’ unlimited non-economic damages are listed as Dishonorable Mentions in the 2025–2026 Judicial Hellholes report.
According to CALA, the report highlights these courts and rulings for decisions that contribute to rising tort costs. In these regions, excessive tort costs create financial burdens for residents. Colorado residents pay $1,982 per person annually in tort tax, ranking seventh highest nationally, resulting in nearly $8,000 for a family of four and potential job losses. Ohio residents face a tort tax of $1,370 per person, equating to over $5,480 for a family of four. West Virginia residents pay approximately $677 per person, leading to higher prices for goods and services.
The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform study indicates that the U.S. tort system costs reached $529 billion in 2022, amounting to more than $4,200 per household. These expenses represent about 2.1 percent of the gross domestic product and have grown at an average annual rate of 7.1 percent from 2016 to 2022, outpacing inflation.
Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse operates as a nonpartisan grassroots movement comprising concerned citizens and businesses dedicated to combating lawsuit abuse in the United States. It functions as a watchdog to identify and challenge abuses within the civil justice system while engaging the public and media to underscore the ongoing costs of such abuse borne by all Americans. The organization aims to promote responsible legal practices focused on justice rather than financial gain.
