RealLindellTV anchor: 'Americans are paying a hidden tax due to lawsuit abuse' of $4,200 each year

Vanessa Broussard, a news anchor at RealLindellTV, said on X that frivolous lawsuits impose a hidden cost of approximately $4,200 per American household each year. She noted that Texas lawmakers are advancing reforms to address this issue.

"Americans are paying a hidden tax due to lawsuit abuse, with frivolous lawsuits adding an extra $4,200 to households each year," said Broussard. "In Texas, lawmakers are taking action."

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform, costs and compensation paid in the U.S. tort system reached $529 billion in 2022, amounting to about $4,207 per American household—equivalent to approximately 2.1% of the U.S. GDP. This figure highlights the financial burden that the civil justice system places on consumers and businesses, significantly impacting economic stability. The increase in tort costs underscores why concern over litigation expenses persists across industries and households.

A study by the Institute for Legal Reform, conducted by The Brattle Group, found that between 2016 and 2022, tort costs rose at an annual rate of approximately 7.1%, exceeding the U.S. average inflation rate of 3.4% and GDP growth of 5.4%. These escalating costs reflect how aggressive litigation tactics have inflated the tort system’s financial burden. The study indicates that without meaningful reform, these costs will continue to compound, placing greater strain on households.

The same U.S. Chamber study reveals that in 2022, the average tort cost per household in Texas was around $4,594, ranking the state among those with the highest burdens nationwide. This elevated figure explains why Texas lawmakers are motivated to consider reforms targeting inflated awards and procedural inefficiencies in civil litigation.

A survey conducted by PACT revealed that nearly two-thirds of Americans support eliminating the estimated $4,200 "hidden tax" from lawsuit abuse. Strong majorities back reforms such as caps on personal injury fees and increased transparency in legal proceedings. The polling also showed that 82% of respondents believe the cost of living has increased recently due to lawsuit-related abuses.

Broussard is an Emmy-nominated journalist with over 25 years of experience in news reporting, anchoring, and producing. She earned a degree in Radio/Television Broadcast Journalism from Sam Houston State University and began her career as a news anchor in southeast Texas.