Tommy Patel, owner of Susie Q's in Thomasville, expressed concerns over the impact of frivolous lawsuits on small businesses. He criticized Georgia for not implementing tort reform a decade ago, which he believes could have offered protection to such enterprises. Patel shared his views in a post on X dated January 31.
"This should have been passed 10 years ago," said Patel. "We really need this reform to prevent small business owners from going deeper into liability lawsuits. Right now, we can get suits dated back 18, 36 months saying this is what happened and you're liable. And it's a bunch of baloney. This legislation really needs to pass to make life easier for all Georgians."
Bennett Law & Mediation Services, LLC issued a statement following the passage of Senate Bill 68 (SB 68), emphasizing that the legislation aims to balance protections for businesses while ensuring fairness within the legal system. The bill seeks to reform Georgia's tort laws to create a more predictable legal environment, benefiting both small businesses and large employers, as well as consumers. Bennett Law highlighted that Georgia’s current litigation-friendly climate has resulted in high-dollar lawsuit awards, increasing insurance costs and raising prices for goods and services. SB 68 intends to address these issues by curbing excessive litigation and fostering a more stable business environment. The firm added that these reforms would help strengthen Georgia’s economy while maintaining fairness in the courts.
On February 7, 2025, Protecting American Consumers Together (PACT) released a poll indicating that 72% of Georgia voters believe lawsuit abuse contributes to rising costs of goods and services. The survey showed bipartisan agreement across Republicans (88%), Independents (64%), and Democrats (62%). Conducted by Public Opinion Strategies from February 2-5, 2025, it also found that 85% of voters consider it important for the Legislature to address lawsuit abuse to eliminate hidden taxes on consumers. Additionally, 82% of individuals who have used personal injury lawyers support reforms to the current system.
A study released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform on January 24 found that rising tort costs in Georgia are placing an increasing financial burden on households, impacting insurance premiums and overall living costs. In 2022, the state’s tort costs reached nearly $20 billion, averaging over $2,000 per household. These expenses stem from civil litigation, claim compensation, and administrative costs affecting both businesses and consumers.
According to InsuranceRateReporter.com on February 18, a survey conducted by the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) and Munich Re US identified plaintiff lawyer tactics such as third-party litigation funding (TPLF) and jury anchoring as contributors to rising insurance costs with an estimated $529 billion impact on the U.S. economy. The survey revealed that 69% of Americans believe these practices increase insurance premiums while 86% support legal reforms addressing them. However, many respondents remain unaware of these tactics; with 75% unfamiliar with jury anchoring and 70% not recognizing TPLF.
Patel is recognized as an advocate for policies supporting economic growth due to his experience as a small business owner in Thomasville where he has built a reputation for quality service focused on community needs.