Tort-Scam Takedown

New York Post ^ | 03/05/12

[AtlasStalled]

That $279 million no-fault insurance scam cops busted Thursday gives added value to the term “ambulance-chasing.”

It also shows why New Yorkers, who indirectly foot the tab for the fraud, need serious reform from Albany. (And never mind the ambulance-chaser — er, trial-lawyer — lobbyists fighting for the status quo.)

* * *

[T]he crackdown casts a bright spotlight on the huge sums New Yorkers are paying unnecessarily for their auto insurance through the no-fault system. And for that, they can thank, in large part, the self-interested tort-law crowd.

The fraud ring, dominated by immigrants from the former Soviet Union, allegedly roped in scores of crooked doctors, clinic bosses, “runners” who chased down patients and, of course, lawyers.

[cuban leaf]

I remember a 60 minutes episode about 15 years ago with a hilarious sting: The city would drive around with a bus containing a few participants in the sting. A car driven by a participant in the sting would rear end the bus at a location where there were cameras set up, and a lot of people walking on the sidewalk.

When the driver opened the bus door, people would pile on the bus and then claim they had been injured - all captured on film. I actually LOL’d when I saw it. In one case there was a mad dash to get on the bus after the accident. It was like Wal-Mart opening it’s doors on Black Friday.

What a cesspool our urban centers have become.