Lawsuit Reform Legislation Takes Effect In Louisiana

Lawsuit reforms supporters say will lower auto insurance rates went into effect Friday for the new year. The compromise reforms were agreed to by the Governor and Legislature last year.

Louisiana Association of Business and Industry CEO Stephen Waguespack backed the changes and celebrated the cost savings he expects they will generate for insurers and individuals.

“It is going to finally allow more people to have the right to a jury in Louisiana courtrooms, it is going to put a limit on some of these crazy settlements, and it will also allow evidence of seatbelt usage to go into courtrooms,” said Waguespack.

The law lowers the “jury trial threshold” from 50,000, by far the highest in the nation, to 10,000 dollars.