“It is not going to curb lawsuits,” Williams said. “It is going to probably drive up the cost of insurance and consumer products. It is going to be most likely claims against solvent people in business and insurance companies that are actually going to end up paying those judgments.”

As an example, Williams said, with a car accident involving a clear case of liability, the insurance company now will have to consider being hit with attorney fees over and above paying for damages. Those costs will be passed on to the consumer, he said.

Williams said the law regarding the cap on attorney fees in lawsuits deemed frivolous has not been changed. The cap is $10,000 for a frivolous lawsuit, he said.

But the change in civil suits means someone who brings a good faith lawsuit but loses could wind up paying more than someone who files a frivolous suit, Williams said.

He said the measure probably violates the state constitutional requirement that bills contain a single subject.

Some are hopeful that lawmakers will fix the law before they adjourn May 26.