The Coalition for Common Sense (CCS) is comprised of professional associations, companies, and individuals committed to passing legislation in Louisiana that ensures a fair legal climate for both truly impaired individuals and small and large businesses operating in the state.

Formed in 2008, the group was successful in passing legislation to clarify the rules on expert witness testimony, which saves the courts both time and money. However, the need for additional civil justice reform continues. 

In a statewide survey conducted in July 2011 by Southern Media and Opinion Research and sponsored by CCS and Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch, 83 percent of the state’s voters believe lawsuit reform is needed. The survey also found a large majority believe there are too many lawsuits in Louisiana, and that lawsuit abuse costs jobs and hurts the state’s economy. Click here to read more results from the survey.

Why do we need civil justice reform?

-    In 2010, Louisiana was ranked as having one of the least fair and reasonable court systems in the United States in a national survey of more than 1,000 attorneys representing many of the nation's largest employers. Louisiana courts placed 49th out of 50 for legal fairness, just ahead of West Virginia.  The survey was sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform.

-         But it’s not just national groups that say lawsuit abuse is a problem.  Individuals and small business owners who live and work in Louisiana also recognize that lawsuit abuse is a serious problem.  In 2008, Public Opinion Strategies released key findings from a survey of Louisiana business decision makers regarding perceptions of lawsuits. They found that 89 percent of Louisiana’s small business owners think frivolous lawsuits hamper the state’s business climate.   

-     In 2011, the American Tort Reform Association placed Louisiana on its annual  “Judicial Hellholes” Watch List because of the conduct of some judges who do not apply the law evenly to all litigants and do not conduct trials in a fair and balanced manner. 

-     Auto insurance rates have climbed steadily in Louisiana in recent years, and they are now the highest in the nation, with the average driver paying an annual premium of $2,536.  According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, two of the main reasons for this are the loose nature of Louisiana’s laws and the litigious nature of our citizenry.

CCS is supporting several pieces of legislation key to reforming Louisiana's judicial system and addressing many of the concerns expressed by Louisiana residents. These include HB 438 by Rep. Neil Abramson, which would require certain petitions in a civil action for latent exposure, HB 440 by Rep. Neil Abramson, which would require proper venue in cases of latent disease, HB 477 by Rep. Neil Abramson,  which would require a plaintiff in a claim for injury, death or disease related to asbestos or silica exposure to disclose at least 180 days before trial all existing or potential claims against a trust or a fund, and HB 343 by Rep. Tony Ligi,  which reduces the jury trial threshold from $50,000 to $5,000. 
  
CCS will continue to pursue legislation that helps ensure a fair legal climate for all in Louisiana.