[StBernard] New Study: Louisiana Ranked as Second Worst Legal Climate in the Nation

[Westley Annis]

New Study:
Louisiana Ranked as Second Worst Legal Climate in the Nation 

 <http://list1.ilrmail.org/t/132957/33968227/1605/0/> This week ILR, in
conjunction with renowned research firm Harris Interactive, released Lawsuit
Climate 2008: Ranking the States -- its annual study examining the court
systems in each state to determine which are the most fair and balanced and
which are broken and in need of change. 

Louisiana ranks as the second worst state in the country for lawsuit abuse
<http://list1.ilrmail.org/t/132957/33968227/1622/0/> .

In addition, New Orleans/Orleans Parish was named among the ten least fair
and reasonable litigation environments in the country.

Click here to learn more about our poll
<http://list1.ilrmail.org/t/132957/33968227/1606/0/> .

 
Opportunity to Turn Things Around
 
"Louisianans have a unique opportunity to turn things around.  While the
state is off to a good start in improving its business climate, even more
can be done," said Tom Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce.  
        
He noted that Governor Jindal and the Louisiana Legislature have already
taken steps to address the state's business climate, adopting tough new
ethics standards to root out corruption, and repealing outdated taxes which
stymied business development.
 
According to Donohue, Louisianans need look no further than their neighbors
to the east in Mississippi, and their neighbors to the west in Texas.  Both
states have enacted comprehensive tort reforms, and both states are reaping
economic benefits because of it, he said.  


Why Does it Matter if Louisiana's Courts are Viewed as Fair?

 <http://list1.ilrmail.org/t/132957/33968227/1623/0/> The respondents in
this poll are major American employers -- and nearly two-thirds (63 percent)
of them believe the litigation environment in a state could influence
important business decisions. 

What does that mean?

It means companies are hesitant to do business in a state with a reputation
for lawsuit abuse. Lost business means fewer jobs and stagnant wages.
Doctors quit providing medical care or leave the state because they can't
afford insurance. 

"The bottom line is this: even though we're seeing some improvements, from
the perspective of global competitiveness, America's legal climate is only
as good as our worst states. So we need to keep working," Donohue said.