I know you have heard the comments and criticisms, “there are too many lawsuits filed in America”…”all trial lawyers are ambulance chasers”…and on and on and on. Maybe you have made some of those comments yourself.
I am a trial lawyer and damn proud of it.
I think we make a difference in the lives of those who have suffered greatly due to no fault of their own. For example, we have represented hundreds of nursing home residents (and their family members) in cases of abuse and neglect against the corporations who own and run nursing homes. Nursing homes are now big business. Corporate chains are anticipating a flood of baby boomers moving into their facilities over the next few years. This increased emphasis on profits has led to a rise in neglected and abused seniors. Between 2000 and 2008, instances of “immediate jeopardy”—violations likely to result in serious harm or even death—rose 22 percent. Over 90 percent of all nursing homes were guilty of at least one violation.
Read this recently released report for more details.
My Take: Civil lawsuits help uncover abuses by nursing homes…many of which are undiscovered and ignored by state regulators and elected officials. I think trial lawyers make a difference and am proud of my fellow professionals who can hold corporate America accountable for placing “profits over people.”