We have all seen the image of lawyers as ambulance chasers. Ambulance chasing is illegal, whether by the attorney or by someone on their behalf. The law prohibits “runners” and “cappers” (B & P C sec. 6151) which are persons seeking business for an attorney from hospitals, accident scenes, courthouses, any public or private property. The law does not prohibit the recommendation of an attorney so long as it does not violate the State Bar rules. Unfortunately, in Southern California there are attorneys and law firms that disregard the law and attempt to secure cases illegally. Any contract that was secured in this fashion is void. (B & P C sec. 6154).
The State Bar in every State of the Union prohibits this practice. Our office will never accept cases from runners and cappers. If you or someone you know has been approached improperly regarding an injury, do not sign an agreement with them. They have already proved they cannot be trusted. If you know someone that has signed an agreement with a lawyer that “capped” the case, have them call us to help get out of the contract and contact the State Bar.
Let me know of your experience with a bad lawyer or a ambulance chaser I can help clean up the profession. E-mail me at davidr@ricksassociates.com. If you need a personal injury lawyer that cares and tries to do everything right, contact me at 909-481-0100 or visit our website at www.davidrickslaw.com.
See more articles and information from David H. Ricks, of the Inland Empire Law Group in Rancho Cucamonga. You can also follow David H. Ricks on Twitter.
Filed under: Legal
Awesome blog!
I thought about starting my own blog too but I’m just too lazy so, I guess I‘ll just have to keep checking yours out.
LOL,