Show Me Your Lawsuit: St. Louis Ranks 7th 'Judicial Hellhole®'

Show Me Your Lawsuit: St. Louis Ranks 7th in ‘Judicial Hellholes®’ Report

Press Releases | December 10, 2024

Courts Threaten Preemie Formula Access, Residents Pay $1,475/Person/Year ‘Tort Tax’

St. Louis remains one of the nation’s worst “Judicial Hellholes®,” ranked No. 7 in the American Tort Reform Foundation’s annual report released today.

“St. Louis courts are a hotbed for nuclear verdicts®, junk science and asbestos litigation,” Tiger Joyce, American Tort Reform Association president said. “This ‘Show-Me-Your-Lawsuit’ environment sends the wrong message to businesses and costs every St. Louis resident $1,475 annually in a hidden ‘tort tax.'”

ATRF highlighted several new top issues in St. Louis courts this year, including:

New Lawsuit Surge Based on Junk Science: St. Louis courts are allowing questionable scientific evidence in a new surge of lawsuits against manufacturers of specialized baby formula for preemie infants. The “expert evidence” presented to juries in these trials contradicts established medical guidance from groups like the NIH, FDA, and CDC, which, in at least one case, juries were not permitted to hear.

Nuclear Verdicts®: St. Louis courts handed down several excessive verdicts this year, including a $500 million award against a baby formula manufacturer. In September, a $462 million verdict was issued in a trucking accident case. During the trial, the jury was not permitted to learn that neither the driver nor the passenger was wearing safety belts, nor that the driver’s blood alcohol content was over the legal limit.

“Judges in St. Louis have struggled to enforce strong standards for expert evidence for years, but now their lax criteria could have negative impacts on the availability of crucial formula needed by premature infants,” Joyce said. “Trial lawyers’ greedy search for their next litigation ‘jackpot’ puts at risk access to critical food and nutrition for preemies.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics also has criticized the lawsuits targeting baby formula makers, stating “Courtrooms are not the best place to determine clinical recommendations for the care of infants,” emphasizing that special formulas for preterm infants are essential nutrition prescribed by NICU doctors. ATRF further details this litigation trend in a special “Closer Looks” section of this year’s report.

ATRF’s report additionally highlights how St. Louis hosts a disproportionate share of the nation’s asbestos litigation, with filings increasing 21% in 2023. Further, a recent decision from the 8th Circuit could turn the city into an international litigation hub, overwhelming courts with cases that have little to no connection to Missouri.

The impact of excessive litigation on the St. Louis economy is staggering, leading to a loss of more than 28,800 jobs annually. Statewide, that number jumps to more than 62,000 with each Missourian paying a $1,095 “tort tax” each year.

“It’s not just about rankings – it’s about real people’s lives,” Joyce said. “As more lawsuits flood the system, costs increase and opportunities decrease for hardworking Missouri families. It’s time for meaningful reform to restore balance to our courts and make St. Louis a place where justice is truly served – not where lawsuits are the main course on the menu.”

Missouri’s legislature was also labeled a “Lawsuit Inferno” in ATRA’s inaugural “Legislative HeatCheck” report due to lawmakers’ inaction on several legal reform bills this year.

The full Judicial Hellholes® report and 2024-2025 rankings are available at JudicialHellholes.org.