Commentary: ‘Tort tax’ is a burden we all share

It seems the buzzword captivating Americans these days is “affordability.” Yet everywhere you go, prices still seem to be increasing here in California. We’re all seeking relief from the high costs of living, with no end in sight.

This trend is already being compounded by a hidden cost driver known as the “tort tax,” which this year totals $2,567 for each Californian. This number represents the hidden tax and the extra burden every Californian pays per year to compensate for California’s overly litigious climate. Along with high costs, lawsuit abuse also leads to 850,915 jobs lost throughout the state, which notably already has the highest tax rates and unemployment rates in the nation.

Every day, thousands of small business owners face lawsuits, all based on technical violations, where no one was really harmed. We might not think much of it, but we should.