Yellowhammer Times

NFIB, the prominent small business advocacy group, has initiated a statewide radio and digital advertising campaign. The campaign is specifically urging the Legislature to pass S.293/H.420, a bill aimed at curbing lawsuit abuse within the state.

Rosemary Elebash, NFIB State Director, emphasized the exacerbating effect of frivolous lawsuits on the existing challenges faced by Main Street businesses due to inflation. "Inflation may be one of the greatest challenges facing Main Street businesses, but frivolous lawsuits are making a bad situation even worse," Elebash stated.

Elebash elaborated on the issue, explaining that while individuals have the constitutional right to seek redress if wronged, some lawsuits are filed with the intent of financial gain rather than justice. "Lawsuit abuse results in higher prices for everyone. Insurance companies charge small businesses higher premiums to cover the cost of baseless litigation, and that leads to higher prices," she added.

A study by The Perryman Group highlighted the economic impact of lawsuit abuse in Alabama, indicating it costs the average family $1,016 annually and contributes to a $7.3 billion loss in economic spending.

The NFIB's ads, both on radio and digital platforms, provide the following transcript:

"For years, plaintiff’s attorneys have preyed on Alabama’s small businesses. Now there is a real effort in Montgomery to stop lawsuit abuse. This reform would bring more jobs to Alabama and protect small businesses from frivolous lawsuits that could put them out of business. Visit NFIB.com/Alabama and learn how you can help stop lawsuit abuse and save Alabama’s small businesses. Paid for by the National Federation of Independent Business, 555 12th St. NW, Suite 1001, Washington, D.C., 20004."

The digital ads direct readers to NFIB.com/Alabama, which offers further information on the legislation S.293/H.420 and instructs users on how to reach their legislative representatives.