Login

Frivolous Lawsuits

Stronger rules against frivolous lawsuits will protect businesses and consumers from unnecessary legal costs.

The Problem

Frivolous lawsuits waste judicial resources, increase legal costs for businesses, and drive up prices for consumers — all while benefiting trial lawyers at the expense of fairness.

ATRA’s Position

Strengthen rules against frivolous lawsuits by imposing penalties on abusive litigants and creating mechanisms for early dismissal of baseless claims.

Search Through ATRA Reforms

Search through all of ATRA's reforms around Frivolous Lawsuits
Frivolous Claims: A.B. 1366 (1988)
A court may assess costs and attorney fees upon a finding that a complaint, counterclaim, cross-claim or defense of a nonprevailing party was frivolou...
New Jersey
View
Frivolous Lawsuits: H. 3008 (2005)
Provided for sanctions against lawyers and parties who bring frivolous claims, including reporting lawyers to the Commission on Lawyers Conduct and re...
South Carolina
View
Medical Liability Reform- Frivolous Lawsuits: H.B. 2292 (2006).
Provided that an attorney filing a claim must certify that to the best of the party’s or attorney’s knowledge, the claim is well grounded in fact and ...
Washington
View
Definition of “Frivolous”: H.B. 1006 (2013)
Sets forth guidelines for signing of pleadings and sets forth guidelines for “frivolous” suits brought in bad faith or without any rational argument b...
Oklahoma
View
Frivolous Suits: SB 679 (1988)

Court shall impose sanctions which may include an order to pay reasonable expenses incurred including reasonable attorney’s fees

Louisiana
View
Frivolous Suits: HB 251 (1997)

Allows the court to assess jury costs if a party’s case is frivolous or maintained for purposes of harassment

Montana
View
Frivolous Lawsuits Reform: SB 385 (1995)

enacts sanctions against frivolous lawsuits including a modified loser pays provision

Oregon
View
Frivolous Suits: SB 178 (1997)
Requires the court to impose payment of part or all of court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees upon a party whose action was dismissed and fo...
South Dakota
View
Frivolous Suits: HB 1272 (1997)

Creates a cause of action for barratry and institutes procedures for asserting the claim.

South Dakota
View
Frivolous Lawsuits: SB 31 (1995)

adopts the model federal rule so that a court may impose penalties when a groundless lawsuit is filed

Texas
View


Frivolous Lawsuits News and Press

Explore ATRA's most recent press releases and blogs around Frivolous Lawsuits

America’s $367 Billion Lawsuit Epidemic

Imagine paying an extra $1,666 every year without realizing it. That’s the...
Read More

Frivolous ‘No-Injury’ Lawsuits Thrive in California

California was named the third-worst “Judicial Hellhole®” in the country t...
Read More
View All

Search Resources

Search through all of ATRA's Amicus Briefs, Reports, and Other Resources around Frivolous Lawsuits
Search All
States
Status
Post Types
Date
Lyle & Bruso v. State Farm
(Ok., filed July 9, 2026): Arguing that allowing the district court’s so-called “protective order” to stand would make Oklahoma a significant nationa...
Oklahoma
  • Case Not Yet Decided iconCase Not Yet Decided
View
Benavides v. Tesla
(11th Circ., filed July 9, 2026): Arguing that the judgment holds manufacturers to unreasonable standards that will deter innovation and development ...
11th Circuit
  • Case Not Yet Decided iconCase Not Yet Decided
View
Drake v. Bayer
(9th Circ., filed May 26, 2026): Arguing that rehearing should be granted to clarify the standards applicable to establishing class-wide injury.  The...
9th Circuit
  • Case Not Yet Decided iconCase Not Yet Decided
View
In Re FirstEnergy Corp. Securities Litigation
(6th Circ., filed May 21, 2026): Arguing that Comcast’s limits on class certification provide essential protections for American businesses and inves...
6th Circuit
  • Case Not Yet Decided iconCase Not Yet Decided
View
Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, et. al.
(U.S., filed May 18, 2026): Arguing the state law does not provide a mechanism to recover damages for costs attributed to global climate change. Clim...
SCOTUS
  • Case Not Yet Decided iconCase Not Yet Decided
View
Veto Request, House Bill 26-1236, “Arbitration Reform”
...
Colorado
View
Second Letter Urging Veto of HB 449 / SB 229 Following Rejection of Amendments
...
Virginia
View
Comment by Leading Defense Bar and Business Groups Opposing Nonlawyer Ownership and Fee-Sharing
Tennessee Supreme Court comment by leading business and defense bar groups opposing nonlawyer law firm ownership – 4.30.2026Download ...
Tennessee
View
Blade v. Sig Saurer
(E.D. Pa., filed April 6, 2026): Arguing that the court should grant Sig Saurer’s motion for reconsideration because Mallory upends the jurisdictiona...
Eastern District of Pennsylvania
  • Case Not Yet Decided iconCase Not Yet Decided
View
Suquilanda v. Skyway Roofing, Inc.
(Ma., filed March 18, 2026): Urging the court to decline to recognize a new cause of action permitting employees of a subcontractor to sue a contract...
Massachusetts
  • Case Not Yet Decided iconCase Not Yet Decided
View



The American Tort Reform Association is the nation’s first organization dedicated exclusively to reforming the civil justice system through education and legislative enactment.

To receive occasional updates from ATRA, enter your email address:
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and consent to receive updates.
Menu
Social Media
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter/X
LinkedIn
YouTube
© 2026 ATRA. All rights reserved.