Curbing Claims Harvesters
The Queensland Parliament late last night passed new laws to restrict advertising by so-called claims harvesters, Attorney-General Linda Lavarch announced.
Claims harvesters are non-lawyers who offer free advice about personal injury claims but only want to sell people’s case histories on to lawyers.
Advertising by claims harvesters tells people they can get tens of thousands of dollars for injuries at work, shopping centres, sporting events or schools.
The cost of the fees charged by claims harvesters are passed on to the injured person, to be paid out of any compensation they get.
“I am not prepared to let these ambulance chasers get a toehold in Queensland,” Mrs Lavarch said.
“The Beattie Government has led the way in changing the US-style sue-for-anything mentality that has contributed to spiralling insurance costs.
“This includes passing the Personal Injuries Proceedings Act 2002 to prevent lawyers advertising personal injury services on radio and television.
“However, claims harvesters avoid the law because they are not lawyers.”
Mrs Lavarch said the Personal Injuries Proceedings (Legal Advertising) and Another Act Amendment Act 2006 would mean claims harvesters would face the same advertising bans as lawyers.
