The Consumer Choice Center announced that Florida’s 2023 liability lawfare reform is already yielding benefits for consumers and businesses. The announcement was made in a policy release on March 20.
On March 24, 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 837 (HB 837) into law, enacting comprehensive tort reform aimed at addressing the state’s claimant-friendly legal environment and reducing the number of questionable lawsuits that contribute to escalating insurance costs. According to the Florida Senate, the legislation introduced significant changes, including reducing the statute of limitations for negligence actions from four years to two, modifying comparative negligence rules, and establishing standards for evidence in medical damages. These reforms were designed to align Florida’s litigation practices more closely with those of other states and to mitigate the financial impact of excessive litigation on consumers and businesses.
Following the implementation of HB 837, Florida’s property insurance market experienced notable stabilization. In 2024, according to a press release, the state recorded a modest 1% increase in home insurance premiums, a stark contrast to states like Iowa and Utah, where premiums surged over 20%.
The enactment of HB 837 led to a significant decrease in civil litigation within Florida. By late 2023, county civil case dispositions had fallen by 12%, and small claims cases saw a 27% year-over-year reduction. This decline indicates that the reforms effectively curtailed frivolous lawsuits, thereby alleviating the burden on the state’s judicial system, according to the Florida Office of the State Courts Administrator.
The Consumer Choice Center is an international advocacy organization dedicated to representing consumers in policy discussions that impact their daily lives. With offices in Washington D.C., Brussels, London, and Kuala Lumpur, the organization focuses on promoting choice and freedom in various sectors including healthcare, technology, and legal policy. Through research, media engagement, and policy analysis, it strives to advance consumer-friendly regulations and foster innovation.
