Dear Editor:
As a Louisiana voter who has long supported meaningful legal reform, I want to extend my sincere thanks to the members of the Louisiana House of Representatives who took decisive action in the opening weeks of the Legislative Session and passed major reforms that will help restore fairness and balance in our civil justice system.
By advancing a number of key bills aimed at modernizing our laws and reining in lawsuit abuse, lawmakers sent a clear signal that they are serious about tackling the root causes of our state’s high insurance costs and anti-business legal climate. Among the most important is HB 431, which would bring Louisiana in line with the overwhelming majority of states by adopting a modified comparative fault standard. This long-overdue change ensures that no one more responsible for their own injury than anyone else involved can still walk away with a payout — a basic principle of fairness that already governs most of the country.
Equally important is HB 450, which repeals the Housley Presumption, ending the absurd practice of presuming injury without evidence. HB 34 brings much-needed transparency to medical expenses in personal injury lawsuits, allowing juries to consider what’s actually paid—not just the inflated “sticker price.”
And with HB 434 raising the bar on recovery for uninsured drivers, lawmakers are wisely reinforcing personal responsibility while helping reduce overall claims costs.
These reforms aren’t just good policy — they’re common sense. They will help discourage abuse of our court system and send a strong message that Louisiana is serious about creating a fairer legal environment that benefits families, drivers, and job creators alike.
I applaud Speaker of the House Phillip DeVillier and other House members for standing with citizens like me over special interests and voting in favor of these bills.
Now it’s time for the Louisiana Senate to finish the job. I urge our senators to prioritize these common-sense legal reforms, pass them without delay, and send them to Governor Landry’s desk. Our families, small businesses, and hardworking citizens deserve a civil justice system that is fair, transparent, and focused on real accountability — not jackpot justice. Let’s make 2025 the year Louisiana finally turns the page on lawsuit abuse.
Sincerely,
Richard D Cloud
Lafayette