The legal analytics company Lex Machina has released a new study on employment litigation, providing a look into the business climates of Florida, Texas, Georgia and others states in the South.
The study found that the top five plaintiff firms in the southeast U.S. are based in Florida and the report noted that the highest cases of employment litigation included those for discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims regarding civil rights laws. Other cases included wage and hour claims and retaliation claims under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
A large number of these cases are settled but in 10 percent the defense wins. In 3 percent of these cases, the plaintiff won and the remaining 12 percent ended for procedural reasons.
“While Florida boast one of the nation’s top business climates, Florida also has one of the worst legal climates in the country," said Edie Ousley, the Florida Chamber of Commerce vice president of public affairs. "Florida's bottom five legal climate ultimately costs Florida families over $4 thousand each year in higher costs. The Florida Chamber is committed to fixing the state's broken legal climate and saving families thousands of dollars in lawsuit abuse ‘taxes.’”
Between 2009 and 2018, damages from such cases jumped from $13.8 million to $20.4 million, showing a notable increase in this type of litigation, according to Lex Machina.