Victims of Ambulance Chasing: A Look at Injury and Deception

Ambulance chasing is a term used to describe the unethical practice of lawyers or law firms who solicit clients who have recently been involved in an accident or suffered an injury. While the term may be humorous, the reality is that ambulance chasing is a serious problem with far-reaching consequences for the victims of injury and deception.

The practice of ambulance chasing is becoming increasingly common in recent incidents, with a late instance plaguing Filipino seafarers. In this blog post, we will be taking a closer look at the human cost of ambulance chasing and how it harms those injured.

Exploiting the Vulnerability of Victims

The maritime industry is unfortunately no stranger to unscrupulous lawyers who engage in ambulance chasing, a practice that involves soliciting clients who have recently been involved in an accident or suffered an injury, in order to profit from their misfortune. Those who have been involved in an accident or suffered an injury are often in a state of shock and are trying to come to terms with what has happened. At this time, they are especially vulnerable to exploitation.

Ambulance chasers, who are often lawyers or representatives from personal injury law firms, take advantage of this vulnerability by contacting victims and offering to help them with their cases. They may make promises about the amount of compensation that can be obtained or offer to take on the case for a low fee or no fee at all. However, the reality is that these promises are often empty, and the actual cost of the representation can be much higher than what was initially promised.

Seafarers and those involved in shipping are particularly vulnerable to this unethical behaviour, as they may not be aware of their legal rights or may be more susceptible to false promises and deceptive practices. In many cases, ambulance chasers may even go so far as to manipulate the victim into signing a contract or accepting a settlement that is not in their best interest. For example, they may pressure the victim into accepting a low settlement that covers only immediate expenses, such as medical bills, instead of considering the long-term costs of the injury, such as lost wages or rehabilitation.

Undermining the Legal System

In addition to exploiting the vulnerability of victims, ambulance chasing also undermines the legal system by corrupting the legal process and creating a situation where the focus is on financial gain rather than the pursuit of justice.

The problem of ambulance chasing is particularly acute in the maritime sector, where it has become a major issue that harms legitimate maritime manning agencies and their clients. Rather than helping victims, these unscrupulous lawyers seek to extract money from these agencies, often by filing frivolous lawsuits or pursuing other spurious claims.

When lawyers prioritise their own financial interests over their clients, it erodes trust in the legal system and calls into question the very principles of fairness and justice that the legal system is supposed to uphold. It also creates a situation where the rights of the injured are not properly protected and where settlements are reached that do not adequately compensate victims for their losses.

Serious Financial Consequences

The practice of ambulance chasing can have severe monetary repercussions for the injured party. Legal fees charged by such lawyers and firms often greatly exceed what is reasonable and can significantly reduce the amount of compensation to which the victim is entitled to. In some cases, the victim may end up with even less compensation than they had prior to the accident, leaving them in a worse financial position than they were in before the accident.

According to experts in the maritime industry, the decrease in the market share of seafarers in international vessels can also be attributed to the impact of unfair monetary claims brought about by the unethical practices of ambulance chasing lawyers.

These lawyers approach seafarers and offer legal representation, often in exchange for a large portion of the compensation awarded to the client. This results in the pursuit of claims that are not always just or warranted, which can have negative consequences for the maritime industry as a whole.

Elicit Psychological Harm

Aside from the financial costs, the stress and uncertainty of the legal procedure may be highly taxing on victims. The constant contact from lawyers, the pressure to settle, and the worry about the outcome of the case can all contribute to a sense of anxiety and uncertainty.

This can make it even more difficult for victims to move forward and recover from their injuries, both physically and emotionally. Furthermore, if a victim does not receive a fair settlement or if the case is not handled properly, they may end up with a legal dispute that drags on for months or years, putting them through an extended period of stress and uncertainty.

Conclusion

The practice of ambulance chasing is a major issue that has far-reaching consequences for those who have been hurt or taken advantage of. It preys on their vulnerability, undermines the legitimacy of the legal system, and has substantial monetary implications.

Therefore, it is imperative that the legal profession takes a closer look at this matter and acts to reduce the damage that ambulance chasing inflicts on victims. Through this, we can ensure that the legal system works in the interests of justice and addresses the needs of those injured.

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