Press Release

Trucking Industry Applauds Passage of Lawsuit Abuse Reform in Wisconsin

Feb 23, 2024

Washington 鈥 Today, the trucking industry praised the Wisconsin State Legislature for passing a commonsense reform to the state鈥檚 civil litigation system that would cap non-economic damage awards at $1 million. The industry says capping these subjective, nonmonetary losses is critical to ensuring fairness and balance in civil litigation and will deter abusive and frivolous lawsuits that have perverted the system into a profit center for the plaintiffs鈥 bar. 听

鈥淲hen the plaintiffs鈥 bar perverts civil litigation into a casino game of 鈥榡ackpot justice,鈥 the costs are borne by everyone鈥攏ot just trucking companies, but consumers too in the form of higher insurance rates and higher prices for everyday goods,鈥 said 黑料不打烊President and CEO Chris Spear. 鈥淭his reasonable reform ensures justice and fairness drive accident litigation outcomes, not profits.鈥

The legislation 鈥 SB 613 鈥 passed the State Assembly by voice vote and the State Senate 21-11 and now goes to Gov. Tony Evers鈥 desk for his signature.

鈥淭his legislation has broad support in the state legislature and across the state,鈥 said Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association President Neal Kedzie. 鈥淲isconsin鈥檚 trucking industry is essential to everyone in our state, and rampant lawsuit abuse is impeding our ability to do our job safely and efficiently. We urge Governor Evers to sign this bill into law.鈥

The trucking industry is a key provider of middle-class jobs in Wisconsin, employing approximately 183,780 people throughout the state. More than 77 percent of Wisconsin communities rely exclusively on trucks to receive their goods.