"Ambulance Chaser"

A recent Pennsylvania case discloses what appears to be the " ambulance chaser " par excellence.. A man was injured in an automobile accident on April 25, 1920, and died two days later, having remained continuously unconscious. A suit for damages was started on April 26 in his name.

It was almost fatal to his widow's rights. She later brought an action under the so-called Wrongful Death Statute, and, having no remedy at common law, was forced to show that she came within the provisions of the Statute. It gave a widow the right to sue only if " no suit for damages be brought by the party injured during his or her life," and it was argued that a suit having been brought a day before the husband's death, his widow was barred. But the court held that the husband's suit must have been unauthorized, as it was brought while he was unconscious and that the widow was not prejudiced.