Yes it is true Plaintiff Tort lawyers have through lobbying, donations and holding office ruined the Tort system. The first mortal blow was Comparative Fault which turned everything into a question of fact. A question of fact must be resolved by a jury. Use of a jury increases the risk to the defense. In addition, lawyers successful before a jury are largely actors which has nothing to do with the merits of the individual suit.
The above being said one must always remember the role of the Judiciary in reaching todays tragedy. Rose Bird of California comes to mind, who by judicial fiat she and a few of her cohorts on the California Supreme court destroyed the form of California Tort law and imposed a formless mess.