South Carolina Lawmakers Debate Comprehensive Lawsuit Reforms

News Summary

In South Carolina, lawmakers are engaged in a contentious debate over proposed reforms to personal injury lawsuits aimed at reducing rising insurance costs for businesses. Governor Henry McMaster supports the legislation, which seeks to modify liability rules, enabling companies to only pay damages based on their assigned fault percentage. While the bill garners strong Republican backing, it faces criticism from various organizations worried about potential impacts on victim compensation. The ongoing discourse reflects a critical effort to balance business interests and the rights of injured parties amid escalating insurance challenges.

South Carolina lawmakers are currently engaged in a heated debate regarding comprehensive lawsuit reforms aimed at addressing the rising insurance costs that have severely affected businesses across the state. On March 5, 2025, Governor Henry McMaster expressed his support for proposed legislation aimed at overhauling personal injury lawsuit regulations in South Carolina, emphasizing the necessity of change in the face of skyrocketing insurance rates.

Business owners throughout South Carolina, such as Josh Painter from Kirby Sanitation, have reported steep annual increases in insurance costs ranging from 20% to 30%. This surge in premiums is placing a significant financial strain on small businesses, which are ultimately compelled to pass these costs onto consumers. The current legal environment in South Carolina requires businesses to pay 100% of court-awarded damages if they are found even minimally liable, such as having a 1% fault in an incident. This provision is contributing to the alarming rise in insurance expenses across multiple sectors.

A bill currently under consideration aims to revise how liability is assigned in lawsuits. If passed, the new legislation would align liability payments with the actual percentage of fault determined in a case. For instance, if a business is found to be 15% at fault, it would only be responsible for 15% of the awarded damages. Support for this bill has been notably strong among Republican leadership, although it has led to division within the GOP and sparked complex disagreements among lawmakers and stakeholders.

The debate surrounding the proposed legislation is expected to be lengthy, potentially lasting for weeks. By addressing various industry-specific issues including liquor liability, medical malpractice, and construction negligence, the bill seeks to provide a more balanced legal framework. However, critics contend that it could limit compensation for victims and primarily benefit insurance companies. Organizations like the South Carolina Association for Justice have spoken out against the legislation, denouncing it as overly broad and harmful to those seeking justice in personal injury cases.

Additionally, the president of the South Carolina Trucking Association has raised alarms about the increase in liability exposure this bill could create for small trucking businesses. The scrutiny is further intensified by the insurance market dynamics surrounding liquor liability. Since the enactment of a 2017 state law that required minimum coverage for establishments serving alcohol, premiums in this area have surged, forcing many businesses to close their doors. Insurance providers have even stopped offering liquor liability policies in the state due to extensive losses compared to other regions.

Governor McMaster has called for the elimination of uncertainties in South Carolina’s legal framework, proposing reforms that would protect businesses from crippling financial judgments. Efforts to gather legislative support for this initiative have involved strategic marketing campaigns and endorsements from influential figures, including a notable social media post. Elements of the proposed bill include extended timelines for insurance companies to settle claims, which critics argue favors insurers and prolongs the payment process for victims.

In response to the bill, the South Carolina Association for Justice has initiated campaigns encouraging public opposition. There are also rising internal tensions within the Senate, with claims of lobbying and accusations of self-serving motivations behind the decisions made regarding the legislation. Some lawmakers have requested greater transparency about the bill’s potential impact on insurance rates, seeking assurances that rates will decrease once the proposed reforms are implemented.

As the legislative debate unfolds, the prevailing sentiment indicates a pressing need to balance the interests of businesses with victims’ rights. Stakeholders are looking for an effective solution to the ongoing crisis surrounding litigation and insurance in South Carolina, hoping to alleviate the challenges faced by both sectors amid an evolving legal landscape.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• WRDW: South Carolina Legislators Struggle to Reach Agreement on Lawsuit Reform
• Wikipedia: Lawsuit reform
• AP News: South Carolina Lawsuit Reform
• Google Search: South Carolina lawsuit reform
• Post and Courier: South Carolina Tort Reform Senate Details
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Lawsuit
• NFIB: Governor Signs Key Tort Reform Bill
• Google News: South Carolina tort reform