American Legal Website - Like eBay

[craigwalsh]

I was looking for something else on the internet and I stumbled across this site:

http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/index.html

It seems to be a way to try to match potential clients with potential attorneys: a bit like an eBay for legal services.

Of course, there are huge differences between the legal system in the States and the legal system here. I don't believe the UK has a provision for "class action" lawsuits, where all plaintiffs in a particular group (folks who, for example, may have been injured in the same plane crash, or who suffered side effects from the same medication) can group together in a "class" and file a single lawsuit.

And contingency fee arrangements are more prevalent in the States than they are here.

But perhaps a website that puts together potential clients with interested solicitors might be a good idea, even in the UK.

Suggestions? Comments?

If you like the idea, should we try it as a part of this forum --- at least initially --- and limit it to NHS related matters?

We could advertise the service in legal publications, etc., to attract interest from solicitors who may be looking for new clients and claims. As the miserable economy gets worse, I suspect more solicitors will be looking for things to do.

[Saddo]

Would anyone genuinely argue that the American model of litigation was one to be aspired to? Would you suggest that turning the UK into the "sue everyone, everyone is a victim" mentality is a thing to be encouraged?

Legal recourse is already available to anyone. Suing the NHS results in less money being spent on patients and more money being spent on settlements and encouraging doctors to practice "defensive medicine". The only winners are the lawyers and the insurance companies.

[aliviel27]

Would anyone genuinely argue that the American model of litigation was one to be aspired to? Would you suggest that turning the UK into the "sue everyone, everyone is a victim" mentality is a thing to be encouraged?

Legal recourse is already available to anyone. Suing the NHS results in less money being spent on patients and more money being spent on settlements and encouraging doctors to practice "defensive medicine". The only winners are the lawyers and the insurance companies.

If people have been left damaged because of negligence I believe they have a right to seek compensation. Often they are left not able to work and on benefits. As in medicine and other professions there are good solicitors and bad ones. In Scotland it is very difficult to sue a doctor because there are not enough specialised solicitors. Perhaps if the complaints dept of hospitals could be a bit more human and less defensive they could diffuse a situation before it reaches a point that someone wants to sue. Meeting people face to face would be a good starting point.