High Drama in the Statehouse: The Battle Over South Carolina’s Lawsuit Reform Bill

The South Carolina Statehouse is the battleground for a high-stakes fight over lawsuit reform. Senate Bill 244, a proposed overhaul of the state's civil liability laws, has sparked a major political brawl, drawing lawmakers, trial lawyers, business interests, and even social media influencers. The bill has led to heated debates, expensive ad campaigns, and national figures weighing in, including Donald Trump Jr.

The core of the bill changes how blame is assigned in civil lawsuits. Right now, a plaintiff can sue multiple parties and recover the full amount of damages from one defendant, even if they weren’t the most at fault. The bill would prevent this, making it so only those found to be at least 50% responsible could be forced to cover all damages. Supporters argue this would lower insurance premiums for businesses and homeowners by reducing excessive lawsuit payouts.