HOUSTON – A recent study reveals that from 2022 to 2024, the Southern District of Texas ranked second in federal tort lawsuits, trailing only Mississippi’s Southern District. The findings, outlined in the 2025 Torts Litigation Report by Lex Machina, indicate a notable increase in tort litigation across U.S. federal courts.
The report highlights a nearly 20 percent rise in federal tort filings between the 2023-2024 and 2021-2022 periods. Contributing factors include larger jury awards, simplified processes for moving cases to federal courts, and stagnant insurance coverage limits that have not adjusted for inflation.
Ron Porter, the practice lead for torts analytics at Lex Machina, pointed out that while overall tort litigation has grown over the last decade, the trends vary by specific types of cases. Notably, some areas like medical malpractice have seen a significant decline.
While the Southern District of Mississippi topped the chart in tort cases primarily due to a mass action involving more than 2,000 lawsuits in 2023 over lead contamination in drinking water, the Southern District of Texas has also shown substantial growth. In 2022, 779 tort cases were filed there, a number that rose to 843 in 2023 and 932 in 2024.
In total, the Southern District of Texas recorded 2,554 tort cases from 2022 through 2024, just 275 fewer than Mississippi. New York’s Eastern District followed in third place with 2,098 cases during the same period.
The report also noted record-setting jury awards for tort claimants, which amounted to over $980 million between 2022 and 2024, excluding litigation costs and fees. The spike in filings also included record numbers for motor vehicle injuries and premises liability claims in 2024.
Conversely, the report indicated a notable decrease in medical negligence lawsuits against government entities, the lowest levels observed since at least 2009. This decline is likely linked to more efficient administrative procedures in handling claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act.
Aurelia Sanchez, head librarian at Rivkin Radler, called the report a valuable resource for understanding the evolving landscape of litigation. She noted that her firm has benefited from insights provided in the document. Porter affirmed that Lex Machina’s analysis equips lawyers, litigants, and insurers with data-driven insights to enhance decision-making regarding tort litigation.
This analysis underscores ongoing trends impacting tort law, revealing a complex interplay among various factors driving litigation in federal courts across the United States.
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