Legal Definitions - ambulance chaser

Ambulance Chaser

An "ambulance chaser" is a derogatory and informal term used to describe a lawyer or their representative who aggressively and unethically solicits clients immediately after an accident, disaster, or other incident, often at the scene or shortly thereafter. The primary goal is to persuade individuals who have suffered harm to file a lawsuit for damages. The term implies an opportunistic and unprofessional pursuit of clients, often preying on vulnerable individuals.

• Example 1: Following a severe bus accident, a lawyer arrives at the hospital emergency room where victims are being treated. The lawyer attempts to distribute business cards and offer immediate legal consultations to injured passengers, suggesting they have a strong claim for compensation.

  Explanation: This scenario illustrates a lawyer directly engaging in "ambulance chasing" by approaching accident victims in a vulnerable state at a medical facility, attempting to solicit their business for a lawsuit.

• Example 2: After a major factory fire, an individual claiming to be a "legal investigator" for a law firm visits the homes of affected employees, urging them to sign retainer agreements on the spot for a class-action lawsuit against the factory owner, even before the full extent of their injuries or losses is clear.

  Explanation: Here, an agent or representative of a law firm is acting as an "ambulance chaser" by proactively and aggressively soliciting clients from a group of victims shortly after a traumatic event, aiming to secure legal business.

• Example 3: A lawyer sets up a table outside a community meeting organized for residents whose homes were damaged by a recent flood. The lawyer prominently displays signs advertising "Flood Damage Lawsuits" and approaches attendees as they leave, offering free legal assessments and encouraging them to sue their insurance companies or the municipality.

  Explanation: This example demonstrates "ambulance chasing" through an opportunistic and direct solicitation of potential clients from a group affected by a recent disaster, leveraging their immediate distress to secure legal work.