California’s cost of living is one of the highest in the nation. From skyrocketing housing and utility costs to rising prices for healthcare and groceries, many Californians are being forced to choose between basic necessities.

Unfortunately, for California’s fastest-growing demographic group — seniors — the cost of living crisis is especially challenging, as many live on fixed incomes and struggle to keep up with rising expenses.

One of the most overlooked forces driving higher prices in the Golden State is the excessive and frivolous use of lawsuits.

Lawsuit abuse is not new in California, but meaningful reform has been hard to come by. In 2004, after years of frivolous lawsuits targeting small businesses, voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 64 to curb rampant lawsuit abuse. Yet, two decades later, the problem persists.

For seniors, the impact of frivolous lawsuits is more than an inconvenience, but poses a serious threat to their access to affordable, high-quality care. From nursing homes to in-home health care services, the financial and operational toll is ultimately being passed down to the people who rely on these services the most — California’s aging population.

Nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and in-home health service providers often operate on thin margins. When faced with a high volume of lawsuits — many of which are filed by greedy trial lawyers only looking to extort settlements, not address actual wrongs — these businesses that serve seniors are forced to spend millions on legal fees and costly liability insurance.

As a result of this unjust lawsuit abuse, liability insurance for long-term care facilities in California is among the highest in the nation, with costs continuously rising due to the constant threat of litigation.

Who pays the price? Seniors and their families.

For example, monthly fees for assisted living have increased 31% faster than inflation in the past two decades and now average $6,250 in California. For those on fixed incomes, even modest price hikes can force families to spend their entire lifesavings.

This financial strain is especially concerning given that California has one of the largest aging populations in the country and is projected to grow to more than 9 million by 2040, an increase of 59%.

It’s time to stop frivolous lawsuits that are driving up the cost of living, particularly for seniors.

Reforms that prioritize genuine consumer protection while curbing lawsuit abuse will help ensure that California’s seniors receive the care and dignity they deserve.

About the Author

Bishop Dwight Williams is president of the California Senior Alliance, a statewide organization dedicated to championing the rights, well-being, affordability, and quality of life of California’s seniors.

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