ambulance chaser

noun, Disparaging.
1.
a lawyer who seeks accident victims as clients and encourages them to sue for damages.
Origin
1895-1900, Americanism
Related forms
ambulance chasing, noun
Can be confused
ambulance chaser, mouthpiece, pettifogger, shyster.
British Dictionary definitions for ambulance chaser

ambulance chaser

noun
1.
(US, slang) a lawyer who seeks to encourage and profit from the lawsuits of accident victims
Derived Forms
ambulance chasing, noun
Slang definitions & phrases for ambulance chaser

ambulance chaser

noun phrase
  1. Any unethical lawyer, or one who is too aggressive in getting clients; shyster (late 1800s+)
  2. A lawyer or lawyer's helper who urges accident victims to sue for damages, negligence, etc (1900s+)

Idioms and Phrases with ambulance chaser

ambulance chaser

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. [ ; late 1800s ]