ambulance chaser

American  

noun

Usually Disparaging.

1. a lawyer who seeks accident victims as clients and encourages them to sue for damages (sometimes used facetiously).

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ambulance chaser British  

noun

1. slang a lawyer who seeks to encourage and profit from the lawsuits of accident victims

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ambulance chaser Idioms  

1. An attorney who seeks to profit from someone's injury or accident; also, an inferior lawyer. For example, Karen refused to join any law firm that included ambulance chasers. The practice of suing for damages on behalf of the injured person in exchange for a contingency fee—usually a large percentage of the amount so won—may be older, but this derogatory term began to be used for lawyers who actively sought out individuals injured in accidents who required an ambulance. [Slang; late 1800s]

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Other Word Forms

• ambulance chasing
  noun

Etymology

Origin of ambulance chaser

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Jones already testified last month during the plaintiffs presentation — a contentious appearance in which he called an attorney for the victims families an ambulance chaser.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 4, 2022

I can see it now: the 21st century's equivalent of the 20th's ambulance chaser attorney will be the driverless car chaser.

From New York Times • Nov. 7, 2017

An ambulance chaser to her critics, a righteous crusader to her admirers, the 75-year-old women’s rights attorney is never far when a scandal of this nature bursts into national view.

From The Guardian • Oct. 27, 2016

"My job is like an ambulance chaser," he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 21, 2015

"Why, your new case, to be sure," grinned Bonnie, who, had he been employed by any other firm, might have run the risk of being regarded as an ambulance chaser.

From Tutt and Mr. Tutt by Train, Arthur Cheney