Learning From Mississippi’s Miracle

Three years ago, civil justice reformers described Mississippi as “the jackpot justice capital of America” and a “judicial hellhole.” One county with a population of just 9,740 had more than 21,000 plaintiffs. In only seven years, Mississippi experienced more than 50 verdicts of $1 million, 20 verdicts exceeding $9 million and six greater than $100 million. Eight medical malpractice cases produced $61 million in damages, and 12 cases against businesses dealt $893 million in punitive damages alone. In one week alone, 470 doctors were sued. From 1995 to 2003, juries awarded more than $1.8 billion in suits in Mississippi.