They used to be called ambulance chasers and they were held in contempt by the legal profession, the media, and the public. Today some of these characters think they deserve esteem as crusaders for justice -- albeit wealthy ones -- their fast and loose tactics encouraged with a wink and a nod.
What happened to "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth"? In West Virginia, too often what we seem to get is "anything but the truth." Has self-enrichment replaced justice for all? Is a large settlement the end that justifies any means?
Attorney Robert Peirce should be asked those questions, along with his most famous client, Earl Baylor. Their day in court is getting closer each day.
As reported last week by The Record, Baylor sued a Fortune 500 company claiming it negligently made him sick, but he seems to know little about his own case. In a May 11 deposition, the former CSX Transportation employee and alleged victim of asbestos revealed a striking ignorance of the actions taken on his behalf by the Pittsburgh firm of Peirce, Raimond and Coulter.
Baylor didn't know where his lawsuit had been filed and he may not have even realized that Peirce firm lawyers filed a suit against CSX on his behalf, according to CSX attorney Marc Williams. He didn't know the Peirce firm conducted the health screenings where he received his "diagnosis," and he never received the actual results.
Williams describes Baylor's case as "a sham." Turning the tables on its accusers, CSX has filed a fraud-conspiracy suit against the Peirce firm, owner Robert Peirce, and radiologist Ray Harron. Trial is set for Aug. 11.
This trial could trigger the first rebuke in a long-overdue chastisement of modern day ambulance chasers, one that will redound to the benefit of all law-abiding West Virginians.
We make no brief against trial lawyers in general. Our criticism is with the bad ones, who bend or break the rules in pursuit of fortune, tarnishing the reputations of their profession. Our complaint extends, however, to the indifferent ones -- the lawyers and judges who turn a blind eye to this travesty.
By actively or passively enabling the mischief-makers and self-seekers to put dollars before justice, they undermine the rule of law and bring disrespect upon themselves and their profession.
If West Virginians -- citizens and lawyers alike -- insist on high standards, we can shore up the rule of law and gain respect for our legal system and its practitioners.