In today’s legal landscape, the most dangerous risks are the ones we don’t see coming—until they show up in unexpected verdicts, inflated settlements, or rising premiums. One such force quietly reshaping the litigation ecosystem is social inflation.
Social inflation refers to the rising costs of claims and litigation beyond what traditional economic factors would predict. It’s fueled by shifting societal attitudes, broader interpretations of liability, increased jury sympathy, and the growing influence of third-party litigation funding.
According to recent data from InclusionScore.org, the Social Inflation Rate now sits at 10%, a sharp rise that’s directly impacting how risk is underwritten, how verdicts are awarded—and who is held accountable.
Law firms are no longer just observers of this trend. They are targets within it.
🔍 How Social Inflation Impacts Law Firms Directly
At Ampcus Forensics, we’re seeing firsthand how these changes are translating into real exposures for legal professionals:
- Escalating Malpractice and D&O Premiums: Broader definitions of professional duty and heightened ethical expectations are increasing firms’ own risk profiles.
- Unpredictable Verdicts: Even in contract litigation, jurors are awarding damages based more on societal perception than legal precedent.
- Rising DEI and Reputation Risk: Firms that fail to align internal culture with evolving social standards are increasingly vulnerable to both external scrutiny and internal disruption.
Social inflation is not just a concept—it’s a calculation. And if you’re not measuring it, you’re absorbing it.
👥 A Strategic Collaboration:
James Felton Keith & the Inclusion Score Model
Ampcus Forensics is proud to collaborate with James Felton Keith, digital rights economist, founder of The Keith Institute, and creator of Inclusion Score—the world’s first diversity and inclusion (D&I) metric grounded in ISO-30415 standards.
Keith’s view is clear:
“Inclusion isn’t a virtue signal—it’s a measurable risk profile. When it’s ignored, the liability grows.”
His work shows that the firms equipped with quantifiable inclusion metrics are better positioned to anticipate claims, defend actions, and avoid becoming case studies in the next wave of socially influenced litigation.
✅ What Law Firms Should Be Doing Now
As a trusted forensic partner to the legal community, we at Ampcus Forensics recommend the following proactive measures:
- Integrate social inflation forecasting into your firm’s risk and compliance frameworks
- Apply D&I metrics like Inclusion Score during diligence, audits, and litigation planning
- Anticipate broader liability exposure, even in advisory or non-litigation roles
- Rethink jury strategies in light of changing societal attitudes and values
These are not just strategic best practices—they’re becoming risk management essentials.
🔐 Partnering With Ampcus Forensics International
At Ampcus Forensics, we go beyond analysis—we deliver insight, foresight, and litigation support tailored to the complex intersection of law, economics, and evolving social behavior.
Our collaboration with forward-thinking leaders like James Felton Keith reflects our commitment to future-ready risk intelligence. Whether you’re navigating insurance claims, reputational defense, or jury strategy, we’re here to help you stay ahead of the curve.
Let us help you prepare—not just for the next case, but for the next era of litigation.
🔗 Contact us at info@ampcusforensics.com to explore how Ampcus Forensics can support your firm’s risk intelligence and litigation strategy.