By: Capital Tonight Staff https://spectrumlocalnews.com/section/know-your-electeds/politics/2026/04/03/hochul-s-auto-insurance-reform-proposals-face-roadblocks Last week, C apital Tonight spoke with the ride sharing company Uber about Gov. Kathy Hochul's proposed car insurance law changes. The governor wants to:  crack down on multi-car staged accidents/criminal enterprises allow drivers to recover economic damages only if the injured driver is not at fault narrow the defin

By: Nicholas Howell, Andrew Calica, Patrick Price https://news.bloomberglaw.com/legal-exchange-insights-and-commentary/disclosure-tide-is-turning-for-third-party-litigation-funding Third-party litigation financing, or TPLF, has grown into a multibillion-dollar industry, with hedge funds, private equity firms, sovereign wealth funds, and others quietly staking claims in civil lawsuits in exchange for a portion of any recovery. It’s now used by litigants and firms representing

By: Gregg Jarret https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/gregg-jarrett-jury-blames-meta-google-teen-harm-appeal-could-crush-case Watch the full video above A Los Angeles jury on Wednesday rendered a verdict of liability against Meta and Google, finding that their Instagram and YouTube platforms created harmful digital addiction in children. The plaintiff was awarded $3 million in damages, 70 percent to be paid by Meta and 30 percent by Google. Later in the day, the jury assigned $2.

By: John Monk https://www.thestate.com/news/local/crime/article315103751.html?tbref=hp A lawyer for an elite South Carolina law firm has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering involving some $1.5 million he stole from his firm and diverted from clients. William “Chris” Swett, 42, of Johns Island, pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in downtown Charleston before U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel. He was released on $50,000 unsecured bond and on his promise to

By: Rachel Richardson https://www.wbtv.com/2026/03/19/south-carolina-tort-reform-meant-cut-liquor-insurance-costs-now-pushing-some-small-businesses-close/ LANCASTER COUNTY, S.C. (WBTV) - A new South Carolina law meant to help businesses save money is now forcing some to close. The state’s new Tort Reform and Liquor Liability law promises to lower insurance costs for businesses that serve alcohol, but they must meet certain requirements and that can present challenges. WBTV ha

By: amNY's Advertising Partner https://www.amny.com/sponsored/small-businesses-rally-behind-plan-to-slash-auto-insurance-costs/ From the pizzerias of Brooklyn to the medical clinics of the Bronx, New York’s small business owners are sending a clear message to Albany: The rent isn’t the only thing that’s “too damn high.”  A coalition of more than 30 mom-and-pop employers – the literal engines of New York’s economy – is throwing its weight behind Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposa

By: Diane Hardy https://www.independentmail.com/story/opinion/2026/03/12/south-carolina-small-businesses-need-tort-reform/89099655007/ When I opened my small business in Greenville, I expected long hours, tight margins, and constant problem-solving as a reality of running a local business anywhere in South Carolina. What I didn’t expect — and what I now hear every day as executive director of the Mom and Pop Alliance — is how rising insurance costs are becoming a significant

By: RipLey Simone https://www.wspa.com/news/state-news/sc-liquor-liability-changes-impact/ SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) — Lawmakers said changes to South Carolina’s liquor liability laws were aimed at lowering insurance costs, but bar owners said it’s done the opposite by increasing costs, making it harder for some to stay open. Changes to the liquor liability laws went into effect January 1 . Since then, businesses have been required to comply with a mandatory alcohol server tra

By: Marvin Andrade https://www.ksla.com/2026/03/10/louisiana-auto-insurance-rates-expected-drop-more-than-30-companies-file-decreases/ SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - Louisiana drivers could soon see lower car insurance bills, according to state Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple. More than 30 companies have filed rate decreases for their private passenger auto policies. Temple said the decreases are tied to fewer accidents on the road, which leads to fewer claims and ultimately bene

By: Seth Taylor https://www.postandcourier.com/greenville/news/peoples-tap-greenville-closed-liquor-liability/article_ddacdee7-fb94-4849-9075-b8fd50b9f0ca.html GREENVILLE — The People’s Tap, a popular downtown bar, is normally filled with patrons enjoying a glass of beer or wine, attending a book club or playing trivia. But on Sunday it was filled with news cameras and local officials as the business’ owners announced it would temporarily close, citing issues obtaining insura

By: John McDermott https://www.postandcourier.com/business/aerospace/sc-boeing-787-lawsuit-motley-rice/article_10ab3d01-32b4-453a-9442-ef1823c3fba6.html One of the nation's largest personal injury law firms is seeking $100 million in punitive damages from Boeing Co. after one of the planemaker's 787s suddenly plunged while cruising over the South Pacific two years ago. South Carolina-based Motley Rice LLC filed the complaint in Charleston County on March 5 on behalf of a West

By: David Pascoe, FITSforum https://www.fitsnews.com/2026/03/02/david-pascoe-a-machine-built-on-money-and-intimidation/ “They call me a wolf in sheep’s clothing… I am a wolf in wolf’s clothing.” It has been a revealing few days in South Carolina politics. On January 20, 2026, Chris Slick , the man I am told runs the political operation for the South Carolina trial lawyers, sent me a text message warning me not to go after his clients. He had already told me about his close re

By: WRDW https://www.wrdw.com/video/2026/03/02/why-insurance-costs-keep-rising/?outputType=amp A recent news segment examines the factors contributing to rising insurance costs, including increased claims, legal expenses, and broader market pressures affecting insurers. Industry representatives and policy observers discuss how these trends are impacting consumers and businesses and the ongoing debate over potential policy solutions. Watch the full video>>

By: Jenn Wood https://www.fitsnews.com/2026/02/26/asbestos-docket-on-trial-at-south-carolina-supreme-court/ In a tense and probing two-hour hearing, South Carolina’s highest court took direct aim at the legal foundations underpinning a controversial asbestos receivership — an insular, highly unusual court docket that has dominated the Palmetto State’s mass-tort landscape for more than a decade. From the opening moments of oral arguments in Tibbs v. 3M — one of several dozen

By: Kailey Cota https://www.postandcourier.com/news/crime/personal-injury-attorney-to-plead-guilty-to-stealing-1-5m-from-mount-pleasant-law-firm/article_f1ff6461-fd38-4cc0-8d8d-aaf8b37432ff.html MOUNT PLEASANT — A suspended personal injury attorney allegedly stole $1.5 million from his law firm and clients, public records show. William Christopher Swett was a licensed personal injury attorney who focused on asbestos and mesothelioma litigation at the Motley Rice law firm in

By: Mercedes Dubberly https://www.coladaily.com/business/how-new-s-c-liquor-laws-are-impacting-local-businesses/article_bacd1684-a75e-4db7-8d03-efe6e5bb4144.html New liquor liability insurance policy mandates and liquor liability reforms took effect statewide Jan. 1, marking a change for those in the food and beverage industry. Following the new law, a few locals sat down with ColaDaily to share their thoughts on the updated legislation. Phil Blair, owner of WECO Bottle and B

By: Morgan Baker https://www.wbtw.com/news/grand-strand/myrtle-beach/myrtle-beach-restaurant-owners-share-thoughts-on-new-sc-liquor-liability-laws/ MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — South Carolina’s new liquor liability law, which went into effect on Jan. 1, is receiving mixed reactions from Myrtle Beach restaurant and bar owners. The legislation aims to address rising insurance costs by offering premium reductions for businesses that implement specific safety measures. Under the l

By: Erin Mulvaney https://www.wsj.com/business/lawyer-hourly-rate-bill-3400-807cf6ce?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqc4xcWUQGHK_qj1ah9TeYPxbJuY57VGNgN49Zyg8Au7IkH7l8LPlSEpR7XWbQ%3D%3D&gaa_ts=69979d88&gaa_sig=f6nNFknFUDJ6I4dXHpt7Z7ie3vUDGUy2RTZ6VwghuCK8xO43PPTk3LUeVfNJRnBC66tYmAU6kfMe-lTybW4yiQ%3D%3D When Christopher Clark, a litigator at a boutique law firm, raised his hourly rate to the once-unthinkable level of $3,000, he said he didn’t receive pushback from clients. But he did get

By: Chris Wade https://www.thecentersquare.com/new_york/article_8109ee6d-d78b-44bd-8194-a715d97ffa75.html (The Center Square) – Business groups are urging New York lawmakers to crack down on staged accidents and other auto insurance fraud by overhauling the state's liability laws. In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and House Speaker Carl Heastie on Tuesday, a coalition of business groups called on them to pass Gov. Kathy Hochul's proposal to strength

By: Lynn Westmoreland https://dailycaller.com/2026/02/15/opinion-how-foreign-investors-profit-from-us-lawsuits-and-drive-up-consumer-prices-lynn-westmoreland/ Americans are desperate for relief from rising prices. The November 2025 elections made that clear, as “affordability” dominated every focus group, every poll, and every concession speech. If Republicans plan to regain voter trust, they need to address one of the most under-recognized drivers of higher costs: the explod