For Immediate Release

California Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) today released a new report, titled “The Fourth ‘R’ of California’s School Districts: Ripped Off By Litigation,” on the cost of litigation for three of the state’s largest school districts – Los Angeles Unified, San Diego Unified and Elk Grove Unified. With the release of the report, Chairman John Merchant issued the following statement:

“In just one fiscal year, three of California’s largest school districts spent more than $32 million on verdicts, settlements and outside counsel to defend themselves against lawsuits. With more than 1,000 school districts in the state, it’s clear that a full accounting of costs statewide would be astounding.

“This year, 2008, was supposed to be the “year of education,” but budget shortfalls suggest that instead of our schools being strengthened, they will face budget cuts. Districts’ budgets already fall woefully short of the needs of our children and teachers; we cannot afford to let litigation drain our schools of any more much needed resources.

“Personal injury lawyers too often use lawsuits against our education system to line their own pockets with money intended for the education of our children. Our children deserve better. We must demand reform so that our education dollars go to classrooms, not courtrooms.”

The full report is available here.