Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse says trial lawyer ads fuel lawsuits and risk public health

Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) announced on X that deceptive trial lawyer advertising fuels frivolous lawsuits, clogs the courts, and can endanger consumer health. The organization urged lawmakers to crack down on misleading legal ads.

According to The Well News, trial lawyer advertising has become a multibillion-dollar enterprise, with nearly $2.5 billion spent on legal services ads in 2022 alone. These advertisements often feature ominous warnings about prescription drugs or medical devices, potentially leading viewers to mistakenly believe that FDA-approved products are unsafe. The outlet notes that the proliferation of such ads spawns meritless claims that burden courts, drive up litigation costs, and ultimately raise prices for consumers.

The American Medical Association (AMA) has raised alarms about misleading lawsuit advertising. In a 2019 statement, the AMA warned that such ads can "confuse and endanger patients." According to the association, these advertisements often exaggerate risks or imply government recalls where none exist, leading patients to discontinue necessary medications. The AMA adopted new policy calling for safeguards and greater oversight to protect public health from the dangers posed by deceptive lawyer marketing.

As reported by Reuters, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigated patient harm tied directly to legal advertisements urging individuals to stop taking certain blood thinner medications. The FDA found 66 adverse events, including seven deaths, where patients discontinued treatment after seeing lawsuit ads, with 98 percent stopping without consulting their doctors. Health experts told Reuters this demonstrates how fear-based advertising can translate into real and sometimes fatal health consequences.

Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse is a grassroots nonprofit advocacy organization promoting civil justice reform across the United States. According to its official website, CALA works to educate the public about the cost of lawsuit abuse, partners with policymakers to advance legal reforms, and raises awareness of how excessive litigation affects families and businesses. Its mission is to restore accountability, transparency, and fairness in the legal system while protecting consumers from the hidden costs of abusive lawsuits.