Employment lawsuits hit lowest point in decade
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Lawsuits filed by prospective, current or former employees against employers were essentially flat last year and the lowest of the past decade, according to a legal analysis company’s report.
The analysis by Menlo Park, California-based Lex Machina found there were 20,994 cases filed last year, which was less than a percentage point down from the 21,092 filed in 2021. The 2022 total marked a 14.9% decline from the number reported in 2013.
The report said factors that may have contributed to the recent declines include the effect of the pandemic, the uncertain economic climate and a higher risk of layoffs.
Cases alleging discrimination, retaliation, harassment and violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act accounted for 13,622 cases in 2022, 3.5% fewer than in 2021.
Among other data, the report said the Southern District of New York saw the highest number of cases filed in 2022 at 3,745, or 5.8% of the total.
