The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is calling on the Senate Judiciary Committee to support significant insurance reform legislation designed to reduce lawsuit abuse and decrease costs for small business owners in Louisiana.
“Small business owners are fed up with being targeted by lawsuits and paying high insurance premiums because the legal system too often favors trial lawyers looking for a big payout,” said Leah Long, NFIB State Director. “It’s crucial that the Senate passes reforms that bring fairness and transparency to the process.”
The NFIB supports several key bills:
- HB 431 by Rep. Emily Chenevert, which would limit damage recovery if the plaintiff is found to be 51 percent or more at fault, bringing Louisiana in line with 38 other states that use a version of modified comparative fault.
- House Bill 434 by Rep. Jason DeWitt, which would implement a “no pay, no play” provision with a $100,000 cap.
- HB 450 by Rep. Michael Melerine, which would end the Housley Presumption, a rule that currently assumes an injury was caused by an accident without requiring proof. Instead, the injured party would need to prove that the accident caused their injuries.
- SB 231 by Sen. Mike Reese, which changes how much money someone can recover in a lawsuit for past medical expenses.
“These reforms are critical to restoring balance to the legal system,” Long emphasized. “Lawsuit abuse has driven up insurance costs and made it harder for many small businesses to grow, create jobs, and support their communities. We urge the committee to act now and give small businesses the fair treatment they deserve.”
The NFIB is a member-driven organization that advocates for small and independent businesses nationwide. The proposed reforms aim to address the issue of lawsuit abuse and its impact on small businesses in Louisiana.
