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The American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) has named eight “judicial hellholes” for 2025-2026 in a new report.
These jurisdictions are known for nuclear verdicts, legal system fraud and abuse, and courts that consider liability cases that expand defendants’ exposure, according to ATRA.
The organization says these practices are responsible for driving up tort costs across the country. Businesses are facing growing litigation risks, and many, especially small ones, can’t handle the financial burdens of lawsuits.
“Personal injury lawyers push abusive lawsuits in Judicial Hellholes that drain resources, unfairly punish small businesses and reduce access to justice for everyone,” said Tiger Joyce, ATRA president, in a statement.
ATRA’s 2025-2026 “judicial hellholes” include Los Angeles, New York City, St. Louis and Philadelphia’s Court of Common Pleas. Also making the list are South Carolina’s asbestos litigation and Louisiana’s coastal litigation. The report also names Cook, Madison and St. Clair Counties in Illinois and King County (Seattle) and the Washington Supreme Court.
ATRA also has additional jurisdictions on a watchlist, including Texas, Louisiana and Kentucky, for pro-plaintiff leanings and growing nuclear verdicts.
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