Lauren Zelt, CEO of Protecting American Consumers Together (PACT), said that ending lawsuit abuse presents a bipartisan opportunity to reduce costs for American families and enhance transparency in the legal system. This statement was made in a press release on April 1.
"Opportunity for U.S. Senators to make a tangible difference for their constituents, regardless of political party," said Zelt. "Our polling demonstrates that voters are hungry for a more transparent system that treats plaintiffs with the respect they deserve."
A survey of 1,500 likely voters revealed that 82% say the cost of living has increased over the past year, with a majority attributing rising prices to lawsuit abuse. Nearly two-thirds support eliminating the estimated $4,200 "hidden tax" from lawsuit abuse, with strong majorities backing reforms such as fee caps for personal injury lawyers and greater transparency. Even among those who have used personal injury lawyers, 71% believe victims would still receive justice if Congress enacted regulations.
According to the Institute for Legal Reform, U.S. tort costs reached $443 billion in 2020, equivalent to 2.1% of GDP. This includes $229 billion from general and commercial liabilities, $196.5 billion from auto accidents, and $17.5 billion from medical liability claims. These figures only reflect insurable costs, suggesting total tort costs may be even higher. They have grown at an average rate of 6% annually from 2016 to 2020. The study highlights the need to evaluate how legislative reforms could improve the efficiency and economic impact of the tort system across states.
Goodman Law Group reports that frivolous lawsuits are a significant issue in Las Vegas courts, where some claims are so baseless or outlandish that judges dismiss them immediately. These lawsuits often rely on distorted legal interpretations, outdated or fringe theories, or outright false narratives and are sometimes filed in bad faith to harass or manipulate the legal system. They waste valuable court time and taxpayer-funded resources, delay legitimate cases, and can harm the reputations of those unfairly targeted.
According to PACT's website, Zelt is the executive director of the organization. With over 15 years of experience in public affairs, she previously founded and led Zelt Communications, specializing in strategic communications and public relations.