Opinion: Lawsuit Financing a Major Problem in Florida
Joshua Chaves 
Providing more funding for our justice system has turned into a bipartisan issue. From cops on the beat to defenders in the courtroom, lawmakers are finally recognizing that cutting corners yields poor service to our communities.
But there's a serious problem that’s lurking in the shadows that’s threatening the entire legal system in Florida--lawsuit financing.
It’s become a big business in Florida, with some lenders providing millions of dollars to plaintiffs in personal injury cases. Lawsuit financing is a relatively new phenomenon, but it's already having a profound impact on our legal system.
In theory, lawsuit financing sounds like a good idea. It allows people who might otherwise be unable to afford to pursue a legal claim to get the money they need to hire an attorney and see their case through to completion. However, in practice, lawsuit financing is driving up the cost of litigation and leading to more frivolous lawsuits.
The reason for this is simple: Florida has some of the most generous laws in the country when it comes to personal injury claims.
As a result, many people are now using lawsuit financing to get money to pursue bogus claims. This not only drives up the cost of insurance for everyone in Florida, but it also clogs up the courts and undermines the public's faith in the legal system.
In order to protect consumers and businesses, Florida lawmakers need to take steps to restrict or ban lawsuit financing. Otherwise, the state will continue to be a hotbed for frivolous litigation.
