Poll Finds Support for Gov't Action vs. Litigation In COVID-19 Handling

New Poll Finds Strong Bipartisan Support for Government Action vs. Litigation When it Comes to Handling the COVID-19 Pandemic

Press Releases | November 17, 2020

While COVID-19 relief efforts stall in Congress, public support for aid to small businesses and others impacted by the pandemic remains high. According to a new survey released today by […]

While COVID-19 relief efforts stall in Congress, public support for aid to small businesses and others impacted by the pandemic remains high.

According to a new survey released today by the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA), there is broad bipartisan support for elected officials to respond to issues surrounding the pandemic rather than trial lawyers filing lawsuits to address concerns.

Key findings from the poll show:

78% of respondents said the government should support small businesses affected by COVID-19 with grants or loans versus 7% who said lawyers should help small businesses pursue legal claims instead.

63% of respondents agree that elected officials should aid those harmed by the pandemic, rather than trial lawyers.

“This research shows Americans are tired of trial lawyers’ schemes,” ATRA President Tiger Joyce said. “Overwhelmingly, people in this country believe it’s their public, elected officials — not trial lawyers or private law firms — who should assist businesses struggling amid the pandemic.”

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, trial lawyer advertisements have increased nationwide. According to The Wall Street Journal, many top law firms nationwide received Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Consequently, some firms spent those dollars to increase their advertising.

“It’s no secret that trial attorneys nationwide are exploiting an unprecedented situation to turn a profit,” Joyce said. “Once again, they are pulling from the trial lawyer playbook, clogging the courts with unnecessary, meritless litigation and using celebrities to help spin their narrative.”

Two-thirds of respondents (66%) agree with the notion that trial lawyer TV ads seek to take advantage of people and are annoying. Further, less than one-quarter (24%) of respondents believe trial lawyers’ use of PPP loans to purchase TV advertisements was an appropriate use of taxpayer-funded relief efforts.

The nationwide omnibus survey released by ATRA was conducted by Echelon Insights regarding COVID-19 related litigation. Additional polling data is available online at ATRA.org.

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