Aug. 05, 2025 / Press Release
| By Rep. Torren Ecker (R-Adams/Cumberland) |
Pennsylvania’s legal system is facing a growing challenge from those who exploit it for personal or financial gain.
For the second year in a row, Pennsylvania has appeared in the “Judicial Hellholes” report published by the American Tort Reform Association. While the title is provocative, the underlying concerns are worth serious attention. This year’s report highlights persistent issues in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas and raises concerns about recent decisions from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. At the heart of the issue is how certain legal actors are using, or rather misusing, them.
The problem is not just perception. Pennsylvania’s legal climate is having real-world consequences. Businesses are rethinking whether to invest or expand here, citing unpredictable liability and the growing cost of litigation. Health care providers worry about increasing malpractice exposure. Average citizens are left footing the bill for a system weighed down by opportunistic lawsuits.
Consider the impact on employers choosing where to grow. States that attract out-of-state plaintiffs and allow complex litigation driven by unclear precedent become less attractive places to do business. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania is heading down that road, and we’re seeing the consequences in lost opportunities and economic hesitation.
Recent legal developments, such as changes to long-standing doctrines around liability, insurance and venue have created uncertainty. These changes do not just affect attorneys or corporations; they ripple across the economy. A legal environment where even the threat of a lawsuit can deter innovation or force defensive decision-making benefits no one.
Importantly, this is not about attacking the judiciary. Pennsylvania’s courts are filled with dedicated public servants committed to upholding the law. But, when legal outcomes are increasingly driven by those who manipulate the system; through aggressive forum shopping, inflated damage claims or loosely grounded lawsuits; it puts pressure on everyone else in the system.
The Legislature can help restore balance by enacting reasonable reforms that discourage abusive practices. They include curbing excessive damage awards, setting clearer standards for liability and limiting the ability to file cases in jurisdictions with little connection to the claim. These changes will not prevent legitimate lawsuits. Instead, they will help ensure the courts remain accessible to those with real grievances while discouraging those who see litigation as a business strategy.
Reforming Pennsylvania’s legal climate is about restoring confidence for every Pennsylvanian who depends on a fair and functioning justice system. Justice should be about accountability and fairness. By addressing lawsuit abuse head-on, we can ensure our courts continue to serve those who need them most and remain a pillar of trust in our democracy.
Representative Torren Ecker
193rd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Greg Gross
717.260.6374
ggross@pahousegop.com
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