While Texas has made progress in reforming its laws that once made the state a testing ground for frivolous lawsuits and abusive legal practices, many small businesses know they are still just one lawsuit away from being put out of business.
To call attention to this ongoing threat, Texans Against Lawsuit Abuse (TALA) and Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) groups are sharing video testimonials and other information to underscore what questionable lawsuits mean for a small employer – and the role each of us plays in ensuring the courts are used for justice, not greed.
“Small businesses truly are the heart of our community. We are the ones that support the youth sports team, step up in times of crisis, and are deeply invested in our communities. But, it also makes us a target for frivolous and abusive lawsuits, “ said Sarah Sagredo-Hammond, owner of Atlas Electrical, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration and a supporter of Rio Grande Valley Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse.
Texas lawmakers have made important progress on lawsuit reform over the years. Once considered the “wild west of lawsuit abuse,” Texas is now a model for common-sense reform. Those changes have contributed to the state’s job-creating powers and business climate.
The “It Starts With You” videos are a reminder of the importance of those reforms – but also a reminder that questionable lawsuits and legal practices can still threaten an employer, especially a small business.
Bobby Jenkins, president, and CEO of Austin-based ABC Home & Commercial Services is a former chairman of the board of Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse of Central Texas and has been on the front lines of lawsuit reform.
“While Texas has passed strong lawsuit reforms, it’s important to remain vigilant in the fight against lawsuit abuse,” said Jenkins. “We can all play a role. We can all be smart legal consumers, serve on juries when possible, and do all that we can ensure our courts are used for justice as intended.”
Jenkins appears in one of the videos talking about the years-long fight against lawsuit abuse and how small businesses have been helped by decades of reforms passed by Texas lawmakers.
“Defending even a frivolous lawsuit can be costly,” added D’Anne Buquet, executive director of Bay Area Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse in Corpus Christi. “For a small business, absorbing high legal expenses can mean not hiring a new employee or putting off the purchase of needed equipment.”
To view the videos, see the TALA YouTube page. For more on TALA and CALA organizations, visit www.tala.com.
