The costs of frivolous lawsuits in a growing nationwide “fraudemic” have surged some 20% and now slam families $6,244 a year, according to an annual survey of the legal system.

The eagerly anticipated report from the American Tort Reform Association that was shared with Secrets on Tuesday also said excessive litigation is killing “roughly 4.8 million jobs” a year and causing more than $330 billion lost in wages.

“Excessive litigation obstructs economic growth, stifles innovation and drives away businesses,” American Tort Reform Association President Tiger Joyce said.

ATRA’s annual “Judicial Hellholes” report again called courts in Pennsylvania the worst in the nation but also highlighted some in New York and South Carolina where lawsuit mania has erupted.

“Courts in Pennsylvania remain the nation’s worst but are joined in the top three by New York City, whose courts are embroiled in a ‘fraudemic,’ and South Carolina, where one judge’s oversight of the state’s asbestos docket grows increasingly controversial,” the group said.

“This year’s Judicial Hellholes also include a new litigation hot spot, King County, Washington. Amid various concerns, the report calls out King County’s courts for allowing junk science evidence in chemical exposure cases,” it added.

Joyce pointed to the growth of “nuclear verdicts,” those with big-dollar payouts, as a growing problem in courts.

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“It’s crucial for everyone to hear and understand the real detriments of lawsuit abuse,” Joyce said. “Trial lawyers might promise quick cash or a seemingly simple solution to complex public policy problems with their ‘sue now, ask questions later’ attitudes, but many take advantage of individuals in vulnerable situations. We all want to find solutions and preserve the integrity of our legal system — but endless litigation won’t bring real change,” Joyce said.

The Judicial Hellholes report has been produced since 2002 and outlines the courts that are welcoming to costly lawsuits. It includes a look at campaign contributions by trial lawyers and legal spending in the media.