Lloyd Avram, CEO of the Georgia Association of Manufacturers, has emphasized the necessity of tort reform to bolster Georgia's economy and maintain its competitive edge. He expressed these views in a LinkedIn post dated January 30.
"These reforms are needed to strengthen our economy and make Georgia more competitive," said Avram, President & CEO, according to LinkedIn. "This is an issue affecting, not just manufacturers, but all Georgians. And we're encouraged to see state leaders putting this issue front and center."
According to a report from the Georgia Public Policy Foundation on February 18, current Georgia law holds business owners civilly liable for crimes occurring on their property under the legal concept of premises liability. Hunter Loggins from NFIB-Georgia argues that this framework is detrimental to businesses and has become central to discussions about tort reform in the state.
Avram's Jan 30 Statement
| LinkedIn
On February 7, 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, conducted by Public Opinion Strategies from February 2-5, also found bipartisan agreement on the issue, with significant support for legislative action to address what are perceived as hidden taxes on consumers.
A study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform released on January 24 highlights that increasing tort costs in Georgia are imposing financial burdens on households, raising insurance premiums and living expenses. In 2022, these costs amounted to nearly $20 billion statewide.
According to InsuranceRateReporter.com on February 18, a survey by the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) and Munich Re US attributes rising insurance costs partly to plaintiff lawyer tactics like third-party litigation funding (TPLF) and jury anchoring. These practices reportedly have a $529 billion impact on the U.S. economy.
Avram has been leading the Georgia Association of Manufacturers since July 2022. His previous experience includes roles at Chevron, International Paper, and The Coca-Cola Company, where he gained extensive expertise in corporate communications and policy.