TV ad tells viewers about banned information in tort trials; civil defense bar claims tampering
Insurance defense lawyers in Georgia aren’t happy about a law firm’s TV ad that reveals information about banned testimony in car-crash cases.
The Daily Report (sub. req.) has the story on the ad by plaintiffs firm Morgan & Morgan, which is running in nine states where the firm has offices.
In the ad, partner Matt Morgan tells viewers he is “going to tell you something the insurance companies don’t want you to know. In almost all of our car crash cases, the person who caused the crash has insurance but the jury is never allowed to know. I don’t think that’s fair. You might feel sorry for the at-fault driver because you think they will have to pay, but the insurance company pays for that driver’s lawyers, court costs and the verdict. Spread the word. Now you know.”
Defense lawyers contend the ad could constitute jury tampering, as well as conduct intended to disrupt a tribunal. They are circulating an email pointing to Georgia statutes that generally ban the testimony.
Morgan & Morgan founder John Morgan told the Daily Report that the ad “only tells the truth” and insurance defense lawyers “would like to violate our First Amendment right to free speech.”
“I would suggest that instead of crying like little boys, they hone their skills and become better lawyers,” Morgan said. “Because we beat them almost every time and I have met few that I would hire.”
The ad in question:
Updated Oct. 13 to include the TV ad.
