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Dear Editor:

Prices have climbed in Alabama and many of our citizens are struggling to provide for their families. As a small business owner in Alabama, I have seen firsthand how people have been affected by rising prices. However, inflation is not solely to blame for this. Lawsuit abuse is the hidden culprit that is causing costs to spike.

Lawsuit abuse is a broad term. It could mean lawyers inflating medical bills during trials to increase settlement payouts. It could mean staging accidents at a small business followed by a lawsuit. It could mean a third-party, out-of-state financing firm bankrolling a lawsuit if they believe they could profit. At every turn, lawsuit abuse causes prices to spike. These hidden costs seep into our everyday prices, causing everything from home insurance to grocery prices to increase.

I have seen my own insurance rates increase for my small business, forcing me to pass the costs onto my customers by raising prices just to break even.

The only solution is curbing excessive litigation. Essentially, this means increasing transparency and bringing accountability back into our legal system so trial lawyers can’t inflate settlements to increase their profit margins. It also ensures that everyone will be able to access the legal system with respect and fairness. To support small businesses and families, Gov. Kay Ivey and the legislature must work to make this a priority this session and get a bill across the finish line.

Legal reform is crucial to ensure lower prices for families and consumers across Alabama, and to ensure small businesses like mine can continue to grow and thrive without the threat of litigation. I urge the Alabama legislature to pass meaningful reform to ensure justice is restored to our legal system.

Ben Hilpert

Owner, Alabama American Claims

Mobile, Alabama