Louisiana, considered by many as one of the most litigious states in the nation, is currently embroiled in a fight to curb deceptive advertising of legal services. A recent study of legal advertising in the state showed that during the second half of 2018, a legal services ad aired every minute on average in local broadcast networks across three of Louisiana’s largest media markets.
According to Lana Venable, executive director of Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch, the state trial bar is spending millions on these often misleading ads, promising ‘jackpot justice’ and impacting everything from auto insurance rates – the second-highest in the U.S. – to the cost of basic goods and services, and even patients’ health.
As Texans know, we all pay and we all lose when it comes to lawsuit abuse.
Which is why Texas has tackled this issue – and lawsuit abuse – head on.
During this year’s legislative session, a measure by Senator Dawn Buckingham – Senate Bill 1187 – addressed these deceptive practices by requiring legal advertisements to properly warn patients that it is dangerous to stop taking a prescribed medicine before consulting a doctor. This new Texas law will take effect on Sept. 1, 2019, and will ensure there are now common-sense disclosures in legal services ads.
Kudos to our Texas Legislature for continuing to tackle needed legal reforms.
And remember, don’t let a lawyer be your doctor.
