American Tort Reform Association applauds advancement of Senate Bill 30

The American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) has expressed approval for the progress of Senate Bill 30, a tort reform measure designed to limit excessive litigation and promote job growth in Texas. This development was announced in a press release by the organization.

According to ATRA, Senate Bill 30 is considered the most significant civil justice reform initiative in Texas in over 15 years. The bill seeks to address issues related to excessive litigation and substantial jury awards, which ATRA claims pose a threat to the state's economic growth. The association praised Texas lawmakers, including Senate leaders and House Judiciary Chair Jeff Leach, for their efforts in advancing this legislation.

ATRA reported that Texas ranked fourth nationwide for "nuclear verdicts"—jury awards exceeding $10 million—between 2013 and 2022, with a total of 130 such verdicts. These large awards contribute to an annual "tort tax" of nearly $6,900 for a family of four in Texas, with even higher costs in metropolitan areas. The association argues that Senate Bill 30 will help mitigate these expenses by reducing excessive and inequitable jury awards.

The bill also targets "phantom" damage awards based on inflated medical bill amounts that were never actually paid. ATRA asserts that Senate Bill 30 will eliminate the practice of plaintiffs' lawyers collaborating with captive physicians to inflate medical bills significantly. It aims to enhance transparency and fairness in calculating damages. By implementing these reforms, ATRA believes the bill will help curb meritless lawsuits while preserving Texans' access to the courts.

Founded in 1986, the American Tort Reform Association is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to reforming the civil justice system and advocating for tort reform. According to its official website, ATRA's mission is to promote greater fairness, predictability, and efficiency within America's civil justice system. The organization is also known for its annual "Judicial Hellholes" report, which identifies jurisdictions where it perceives imbalances within the legal system.