The court system is backlogged: Digital court reporters can help

A report from Thomson Reuters showed that the legal industry, already backlogged before the COVID-19 pandemic, saw a 33% increase in pending work. Now, court reporters are in even higher demand, and stenographers often have their pick of many lucrative jobs every day. However, other work needs to get done, and there simply aren’t enough stenographers to cover it all.

The shortage of court reporters in the US — with some estimates suggesting a shortfall of nearly 12,000 stenographers — has impacted the legal system, causing delays in civil litigation proceedings and live depositions. 

In many states, digital court reporters use Verbit to efficiently cover the overflow work so that the legal industry can tackle its backlog. Here are some high-volume areas where digital court reporters can make a positive impact.

Homeowner claims

Why there are so many:
Whether it’s flooding, a bad roof or wildfires, HO claims are inundating state courts. For instance, Hurricane Irma led to nearly one million residential property claims in Florida alone.

Why they aren’t stenographers’ first pick:
Only one attorney — the one for the insurance company — typically orders the transcripts for these depositions. Additionally, insurance carriers often pay lower bulk rates for services.

Examinations Under Oath (EUO) and car accidents

Why there are so many:
Insurance companies have contracts with their insureds that give insurers the right to investigate claims. One of the tools insurers use is an EUO, which is similar to a deposition. Companies often use EUOs for car accident claims. Considering 2.38 million people were injured in motor vehicle accidents in 2022, auto-related claims result in many EUOs.

Why they aren’t stenographers’ first pick:
Like HO claims, insurers often set bulk rates for EUOs and it’s likely that only one party orders a transcript. These jobs are plentiful but don’t offer the same draw for senior court reporters and stenographers.

Workers compensation claims

Why there are so many:
On average, there are 3.4 Workers’ Compensation claims for every 100 full-time employees. Those numbers add up to 2.6 million injury and illness claims in 2023.

Why they aren’t stenographers’ first pick:
When it comes to covering these claims as a court reporter, the state often sets the price. Also, the transcripts become public documents, which means the court reporter can’t charge for additional copies.

Criminal defense cases

Why there are so many:
Overall crime rates in the US have slightly declined in recent years, according to FBI and Bureau of Justice Statistics data. However, increases in criminal defense cases can be attributed to factors like expanded law enforcement activity, changes in prosecution policies and heightened awareness or enforcement of certain types of offenses, such as cybercrime or drug-related charges.

Why they aren’t stenographers’ first pick:
Many criminal defendants are indigent and rely on public defenders as their legal advocates. States often set lower rates for these proceedings because of the minimal funding available.

Hearings

Why there are so many:
When cases move through the court system, the parties will appear before the judge many times prior to the litigation’s completion. Hearings are often short and may address a motion or set dates to move cases forward. There will likely be multiple hearings, whether the issue involves divorce, bankruptcy, negligence claims or criminal charges.

Why they aren’t stenographers’ first pick:
Because they often last a matter of minutes, getting to court and setting up may not seem financially worth it compared to taking a multiple hour-long deposition for one case. Also, court reporters who have first pick often opt for remote depositions, which are more convenient and potentially more lucrative. Stenographers in many areas are not eager to take hearings- or any jobs- where they would need to appear in person.

Helping to bridge the gap

With so many cases entering and pending in the US court system, there’s a clear need for more coverage.

Verbit is helping bridge the gap created by the national court reporter shortage with reliable, tech-driven legal solutions. Our platform supports digital court reporting, real-time transcription and high-accuracy legal documentation — making it easier for law firms, court systems and agencies to handle high volumes of depositions, EUOs, hearings and more.

By combining AI efficiency with human accuracy, Verbit ensures that even lower-margin or overflow cases are covered quickly and compliantly, helping the legal industry reduce its backlog and deliver timely justice.

Reach out today to learn more.