TLR is a proud member of the newly-launched Lone Star Economic Alliance (LSEA), a coalition of businesses of all sizes from industries and cities across the state fighting to restore transparency to Texas courtrooms and ensure the legal system operates fairly.

Virtually every employer in Texas—from family-owned grocers and landscaping companies to oil and gas providers—has the potential to be involved in an accident that can evolve into a company-threatening lawsuit.

Companies want to do the right thing when someone is injured due to the actions of their employees. At the same time, no company wants to be held ransom in a lawsuit by a person who was not injured or who caused his own injury.

The litigation environment in Texas has shifted from protecting legitimately injured Texans to targeting all job creators, impacting every industry and the entire Texas economy. 

Deceptive plaintiff lawyer tactics—like hugely inflated medical bills—have led to an explosion of unjustifiable nuclear verdicts and high-dollar settlements in personal injury lawsuits against Texas job creators. As a result, insurance companies are afraid to go to court in Texas. Instead, they settle cases and pass the increased costs through to the companies they insure. 

Insurance is already the second largest expense employers encounter, behind payroll. Employers are in an untenable position — money that they would otherwise invest in more employees, equipment or benefits, instead goes toward defending themselves against bad actors in the courtroom.

For Texas families, that means fewer and more expensive options for the goods and services they rely on every day. 

Legislative reforms like 2021’s HB 19 aim to restore fairness in courtrooms by focusing on relevant evidence and ensuring legitimately injured parties are compensated while preventing abuse of the legal system. But it’s clear the Legislature can do more to keep the litigation playing field level for all Texans.

Over 650 Texas employers have united to form LSEA and share their stories and support, from small businesses like landscaping and lumber companies to moving services, manufacturers, transportation and energy providers, local retailers, regional chambers of commerce and a host of trade organizations.

Please visit www.lonestareconomicalliance.com to learn more or to add your voice to the growing list of Texas job creators who are fighting for common-sense reforms to protect the Texas Miracle.