By Anita Padilla
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida faces billions in annual litigation costs and more than 250,000 lost jobs, and lawmakers are considering new bills to limit outside investors’ roles in lawsuits, according to data released Tuesday by Tom Gaitens of Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse.
The figures come from a national study by The Perryman Group examining what it calls excessive tort costs and the potential benefits of reform.
Statewide impact in Florida:
- $20.3 billion in direct excessive tort costs annually
- $30.5 billion reduction in gross state product each year
- 254,248 jobs lost
- $1,306 per-person “tort tax”
Nationally, the study estimates $397.2 billion in excessive tort costs each year, contributing to $602.3 billion in lost economic output and more than five million jobs. The nationwide “tort tax” is calculated at $1,771 per person.
Gaitens said civil justice reforms passed by Florida lawmakers in 2022 and 2023 have helped stabilize the state’s legal climate.
“What happens when a state chooses reform instead of complacency?” Gaitens said in a statement. “Florida chose reform.”
According to the study’s modeling, recent reforms have preserved $4.2 billion in business activity and supported more than 29,000 jobs statewide.
Regional impacts include:
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater MSA:
- $3.3 billion in direct costs
- 40,783 jobs lost
- $1,465 per-person tort tax
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford MSA:
- $2.9 billion in direct costs
- 35,775 jobs lost
- $1,525 per-person tort tax
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach MSA:
- $9.7 billion in direct costs
- 120,836 jobs lost
- $2,347 per-person tort tax
Joining Gaitens at a press conference in the Capitol Courtyard Tuesday were Bill Herrle of the National Federation of Independent Business and former state Rep. Jim Kallinger of the Small Business and Consumers Alliance, who urged lawmakers to continue reform efforts.
Gaitens also pointed to SB 1396 and HB 1157, which would increase transparency around third-party litigation financing if approved this session.