Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse of Central Texas

San Antonio Express
October 19, 2009

RE: “Ambulance chasing thrives,” (Front Page, Oct. 4):

Your recent article on barratry, or ambulance chasing, underscores why legislators should crack down on the practice. Lawyers who commit barratry exploit victims when they are at their most vulnerable. This is why Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse groups launched a statewide campaign to educate Texans on how to recognize ambulance chasing, how to report it and also to urge lawmakers to bolster the penalties against anyone engaged in this illegal solicitation.

Efforts to toughen laws against this practice failed during this year's legislative session. House Bill 148 would have allowed clients to collect triple damages from lawyers who engage in illegal case solicitation, and would have penalized lawyers who use “runners” to covertly solicit cases or exploit the vulnerability of hospitalized accident victims and their families. Unfortunately, these provisions were stripped from the bill.

If you see barratry in action or fall victim to it personally, report it to the State Bar by calling (800) 204-2222, ext. 9.

Stephanie Gibson,

Citizens Against Lawsuit

Abuse of Central Texas,

Austin