Workers Comp News Texas Lawmakers Look to Curtail Ambulance Chasers

Texas lawmakers took a huge step in curtailing the activities of today’s ambulance chasers by passing HB 148. The bill, now on its way to Governor Rick Perry for signature, makes it illegal for lawyers, chiropractors and other health professionals to solicit victims of auto accidents or catastrophes by telephone or in person.ï¿½
The bill was targeted at telemarketers who contact crash victims by buying accident reports from local police departments. The crash victims are often informed they need to visit a certain chiropractor whether they have been injured or not. While awaiting care, the crash victims are solicited by lawyers or people representing law firms who claim the victims will receive free legal advice.
“It’s all a scam for a very small number of chiropractors, lawyers and others who are out to get as much as they can from an individual’s insurance claim,” says Dennis Devlin, chairman of the Texas Committee on Insurance Fraud. “We owe the bill’s sponsors, Rep. Todd Smith and Sen. Jeff Wentworth, huge praise for passage of this legislation that will curtail this ongoing trail of lies, deception and outright theft.” (workersxzcompxzkit).
Devlin said passage of this legislation was unique in that the insurance industry, the Texas Chiropractor Association and the Texas Trial Lawyers Association all worked together to ensure the its passage.
If convicted, the solicitors would face a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense, but the penalty would increase for any additional convictions. Upon the Governor’s signature, the bill will take affect September 1, 2009.

Author: Robert Elliott, J.D.

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