Trial lawyers poured millions of dollars into the campaign coffers of New York politicians to push for expanded laws that would make it easier to sue, according to an analysis by a business advocacy group.
The top 20 plaintiffs’ law firms gave $4.7 million to New York state lawmakers, including Gov. Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James, between 2017 and last year, according to a report prepared by the nonprofit American Tort Reform Association. Donated.
The state Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee received the most donations combined, totaling $864,000.
The New York State Democratic Senate Campaign Committee also raised $810,000, while Gov. Kathy Hochul and the New York State Senate Republican Committee raised $465,000 and $329,000, respectively.
Andrew Cuomo received $272,000 during the period, while James received $158,500 from a top law firm, according to an analysis of former governors.
The two largest law firm donors were Sachs & Sachs and Gail Gail Conason, which donated more than $553,000 and $538,000, respectively.
Almost 70% of those donations went to LawPAC, a political action committee affiliated with the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, which funneled large sums of money to candidates and other campaigns.
Tort reform advocates say that while Mr. Hochul is one of the top recipients of donations from law firms, he rejects the tort court’s priorities, recognizing the potential economic fallout from expanded responsibilities. He points out that there were times when this occurred.
For example, Hochul last December Second veto exercised The “Grieving Families Act” would expand the state’s “wrongful death law.”
The changes will make it easier for families who have lost loved ones due to negligence, such as medical malpractice cases, to sue in court, and it will also be possible to sue for emotional damages.
Families can now only cite “financial hardship” rather than pain and suffering damages.
But the state Legislature continues to pass bills that increase litigation and make statutory benefits more favorable in personal injury trials, leading the group to call New York City a “judicial hellhole” of annoying and expensive litigation. There is.
According to ATRA, every New York resident pays more than $2,318 in “tort taxes” each year due to high legal costs.
Meanwhile, the group’s second report found that in 2023, trial lawyers and their affiliates spent more than $97 million on more than 1 million advertisements for community legal services across New York state. This is an increase of at least 6% from 2022, according to preliminary data. .
The group noted that prominent law firms like Martin Harding & Mazzotti and Jacoby & Myers feature prominently in both advertising and campaign contributions.
“These reports provide keen insight into the operation of ‘trial lawyer playbook’ and point to a system that is likely to be disadvantageous to consumers and taxpayers.” Tiger Joyce, ATRA Chairman said this:
“Excessive legal advertising creates a litigious culture and increases costs. Additionally, close financial ties between trial lawyers and politicians have raised concerns about undue influence and lack of transparency. .”
Ashley Ranslow, New York director of the National Federation of Independent Business, praised the report.
“Trial lawyers are one of the most important special interests in Albany. Small employers make up the majority of businesses in the state, making them prime targets for frivolous lawsuits,” Ranslow said. said.
“Our local business owners face high costs, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages and crime,” Ranslow added. “They cannot afford the inflated insurance premiums and costly legal battles that result from meritless or predatory litigation. It is unfortunate, but that is why a significant portion of the work we do on behalf of small businesses. is fighting back against the agenda of trial lawyers.”
The newspaper has reached out to the New York State Trial Lawyers Association for comment.
