Tom Gaitens, executive director of Florida Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA), emphasized the necessity for Florida to continue advancing tort reform to build on the progress made in 2023.
"Florida needs to keep pressing for more Tort Reform to support the gains made for 2023," said Gaitens.
According to CALA's annual National Economic Impact Report, Floridians pay an average "tort tax" of $1,238 per person due to frivolous lawsuits and civil justice abuse. Despite recent legal reforms led by Governor Ron DeSantis, CALA says gaps and loopholes still allow lawsuit abuse to persist. Leaders like Gaitens and Randy Ray noted that while reforms have helped stabilize Florida’s insurance market, more work is needed to protect consumers and seniors. Small business advocates also highlighted the rising cost of goods caused by excessive litigation. CALA plans to push for further reforms, including regulating third-party litigation funding.
A report released March 5 from the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) analyzes legal services advertising in the U.S., revealing that over $2.5 billion was spent on more than 26.9 million ads in 2024—more than double the ad spend of pizza restaurants. In Florida, Fort Myers had one of the highest per capita legal ad spends, while Orlando and Tampa saw significant volumes of legal advertisements. Miami also had a notable presence with heavy investment in legal marketing. ATRA additionally cites an FDA study that found 66 reports of adverse events, including seven deaths, following patients discontinuing their blood thinner medication after viewing a lawyer advertisement.
On February 5, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued a press release announcing significant improvements in the state’s insurance market. Major auto insurers, including GEICO, Progressive and State Farm, have filed for rate reductions of 10.5%, 8.1% and 6%, respectively. Citizens Property Insurance is also implementing premium decreases averaging 5.6% statewide, benefiting about 75% of homeowners in Miami-Dade County. Over the past two years, 11 new insurance companies have entered the Florida market, boosting competition and contributing to market stability.
Florida state Representatives Hillary Cassel and Paula Stark are advancing HB 1551, which would establish a "loser pays" standard for attorney fees in insurance lawsuits. The bill passed the House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee with a 15-1 vote, with Representative Mike Caruso as the lone dissenter. Caruso argued that the bill could lead to higher costs for consumers instead of reducing premiums, citing Governor DeSantis’ recent announcement that Florida's insurance reforms have stabilized the market and attracted insurers. The Personal Insurance Federation of Florida and the Florida Chamber of Commerce also warned that HB 1551 could reignite excessive litigation and drive up premiums.
Gaitens is a University of South Florida graduate with extensive experience in business and political advocacy. He co-owns McDaniel Trading, a Sarasota-based commodities firm, and previously served as state director of FreedomWorks.org. Gaitens also founded two grassroots advocacy firms and has served on several nonprofit and policy organization boards.