Litigation Nation: Another Headwind America Can No Longer Sustain

15 million lawsuits will be filed in 2011 across the U.S. 
A new lawsuit every 2 seconds  
One lawsuit for every 12 adults
21 U.S. states are facing a medical liability crisis
$248.1 billion = the cost to the U.S. tort system (personal injury) in 2009, or $808 per person
The cost per capita of tort related lawsuits has increased 800% between 1950 to 2009 


As the United States competes for its historic position at the top of the economic heap, some would say to remain the leper with the most fingers, there are dynamics that are simply inexplicable, indeed disturbing. One of these is America as the nation of litigation and its cost to business, taxpayers and government.

This is not a new phenomenon, but one that remains unsolved indicating either a satisfaction with the way it is or an active negligence toward the issue by an otherwise apathetic General Public.

Regardless, it is unsustainable. The headwind caused by a nation of victims with a legal system willing to litigate any foul, or perceived foul, is simply too much to bear when added to our uncompetitive compensation, lagging educational system, and the collective assumption that the only thing left is to haggle over the ruins. But, perhaps that is what victims do.

An excellent graph of this sad dynamic can be found at: http://www.zerohedge.com/contributed/infographic-america-lawsuit-happy-nation