Employment lawsuits hit lowest point in decade

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.