Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse announced that Los Angeles tops the 2025–2026 Judicial Hellholes List, citing large verdicts in areas like wrongful death and wildfire damages affecting communities across the state.
According to a post from Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse, Los Angeles is highlighted as having one of the worst legal climates in the United States, securing the No. 1 position on their list. The post mentions that massive nuclear verdicts are affecting communities statewide and includes a link to a report detailing these issues. This aligns with the organization’s efforts to address perceived imbalances in the civil justice system.
Los Angeles County courts have issued nuclear verdicts exceeding $50 million in cases involving wrongful death and premises liability, contributing to increased insurance premiums for residents. In 2025, a case resulted in a $1.5 billion award against a utility company for wildfire damages. These outcomes lead to higher costs for consumers and businesses in Southern California.
The U.S. tort system’s costs reached $529 billion in 2022, equating to more than $4,200 per household. According to a study by the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, these expenses represent about 2 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 is described as a nonpartisan grassroots movement uniting concerned citizens and businesses to combat lawsuit abuse in the United States. It advocates for a balanced civil justice system by highlighting excessive litigation’s effects and engages in education and advocacy for fair legal practices.
