ambulance chaser
English
Etymology
The origins of this phrase date from 1897, from newspaper articles about attorneys seeking clients through targeted mail solicitation.[1] “Ambulance chasing” was one of the descriptive phrases employed by the media for this activity. It later became a derogatory term for direct advertising.
Noun
ambulance chaser (plural ambulance chasers)
- (derogatory) An unethical attorney who solicits business at the scenes of accidents or in hospitals, in exchange for a percentage of the damages that will be recovered in the case.[2]
- 2004, Richard Lacayo, "Court and Spark: Edwards' Legal Career," Time, 19 July,
- Republicans have tried to cast him as a millionaire ambulance chaser, the kind of man who forces doctors and businesses to pay ever higher liability-insurance costs.
- 2004, Richard Lacayo, "Court and Spark: Edwards' Legal Career," Time, 19 July,
- (by extension) An attorney who engages in unethical behavior.
- (derogatory) An unethical funeral director or person who engages in the unlicensed sale of preneeds or other services to those who do not yet need them in an attempt to increase business.[3]
Related terms
References
- "Etymonline.com" 15 Jul. 2006
- “West’s Encyclopedia of American Law, The Gale Group, Inc, 1998.”, Answers.com 15 Jul. 2006
- “State of Ohio Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors, minutes, Sep. 17, 2007” - specific contextual example.
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