That is a term the insurance Lobby and RW think tanks use to describe attorneys who represent people injured through the negligence or intentional conduct of others. It is the same as their attacks that PI lawyers file all of these "frivolous" lawsuits which helped them to pass draconian tort reform that takes away individuals rights for redress against people/corporations who harm them. It is all part of their programming Americans with their propaganda to distrust and not seek out an attorney when harmed. It is also used to condition jurors not to award money to injured people.
Everyone old enough remembers the McDonald's coffee case, or at least the corporate media's version of the story which was, woman spills hot coffee, sues and wins millions. This case was used to pass tort reform all over the country. The truth was much different.
Stella Liebeck was severely burned trying to take the lid off of her coffee to add cream and sugar. The coffee spilled in her lap, but because McDonald's had decided to super-heat their coffee to get more coffee per bean and stay fresher longer, she almost died. Surgeons had to remove her labia and clitoris. McDonald's knew their hotter coffee was causing second and third degree burns and had confidentially settled several burn cases. Since it was very profitable they continued anyway. The jury awarded one day of coffee sales ($2 million) which the judge reduced to $900,000. McDonald's lowered the temperature of their coffee back to industry standard and the public was protected.
PI attorneys take cases on a contingent fee (percentage of money recovered) because most people cannot afford to pay an hourly rate. This means the attorney gets nothing and eats the money and time they spent developing the case. We represent people who need help. Much of our work helps to protect the public and keep corporations at least somewhat in check. It is getting more difficult to do every year as our rights to seek redress are continually eroded.
Are there disreputable attorneys out there? Absolutely, just as there are disreputable people in every occupation and job in this country. The vast majority are decent, hard working people who get lumped in with the minority to further the ends of the corporations/insurance companies.
Please keep this in mind next time someone throws out the "Ambulance Chaser" label, thanks!
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