Approached by a Personal Injury Lawyer at a Hospital or Rehab? Here’s the Good and Bad of What It Can Mean

After a serious accident, the hospital or rehab facility should be a place for recovery, not recruitment.

But across the country, some injury victims report being approached, sometimes within hours or days of a crash, by someone connected to a law firm. Maybe it’s a “helpful” visitor who already knows your name. Maybe they show up with paperwork ready. Maybe they say they can “take care of everything” if you just sign.

It can feel fast. Convenient. Even reassuring.

But it can also be a red flag.

If you were approached by a lawyer or someone claiming to represent one while you were in a hospital or rehab center, you deserve to understand what that could mean and why you should slow down before agreeing to anything.

Because, unfortunately, when you’re vulnerable, someone else may be looking at you like a lead.

What Is Hospital or Rehab Solicitation?

In the personal injury world, there’s a term you may hear: “runner.”

A runner is typically someone who seeks out accident victims, often at hospitals, rehab centers, or crash scenes, and encourages them to quickly sign with a particular law firm. Sometimes they present themselves as:

• A “case manager”
• A “patient advocate”
• A “legal helper”
• A “friend of the family”
• Or simply someone who “works with attorneys”

However, their job isn’t to protect you. It’s to sign you.

While the legality of this practice varies by state, the ethics are questionable everywhere. These situations can create pressure when you’re injured, medicated, stressed, or simply not thinking clearly.

And that’s exactly why the tactic exists.

Why Would Someone Approach You That Quickly?

In personal injury cases, speed can mean money—for lawyers.

Some firms rely on volume. The faster they sign clients, the faster they build a pipeline of cases. So they create systems to find accident victims immediately.

That might involve:

• Monitoring police reports
• Getting tips from third parties
• Visiting hospitals
• Sending representatives to rehab facilities
• Pushing same-day or next-day signups

If someone already had your name, accident details, or insurance info before you contacted them, it’s fair to ask: “How did they get that information?” And more importantly: “Are they prioritizing my recovery or their case count?”

The Risks of Signing Too Fast

When you sign with a lawyer while still hospitalized or in rehab, several problems can happen:

You may not understand what you signed

Pain medication, shock, and exhaustion are real. Many people don’t fully remember signing anything or what the agreement said.

You didn’t get to compare options

You likely didn’t research firms, check reviews, or talk to family. You chose under pressure.

Your care may be influenced by referrals

Some operations steer clients toward specific doctors or clinics they already “work with.” That may not always align with what’s best for you medically.

Your case may feel transactional

If a firm relies on runners and rapid signups, your case can become just another number.

And when cases feel like numbers, attention and communication often suffer.

Signs You Might Have Been Unethically Approached

Not every early contact is improper, but these are warning signs:

• Someone showed up uninvited at the hospital
• They already knew details about your accident
• You felt rushed to sign immediately
• They discouraged you from calling other lawyers
• They said “sign now or you’ll lose your chance”
• They promised a fast settlement or specific dollar amount
• They pushed certain doctors or clinics

If any of that happened, trust your instincts.

Good legal representation should never feel like a sales pitch.

Ethical Representation Looks Different

Reputable personal injury firms typically wait for you to call them.

They don’t pressure. They don’t show up unannounced. They don’t rush you into contracts while you’re recovering.

Instead, they:

• Offer free consultations
• Explain your rights clearly
• Encourage questions
• Give you time to decide
• Put your medical recovery first

That’s how it should be.

At Morgan & Morgan, the belief is simple: people deserve respect, not pressure. Injury victims should choose their lawyer because they trust them, not because someone caught them in a hospital bed with paperwork.

Why This Matters for Your Case

The lawyer you choose can directly affect:

• The medical care you receive
• How your evidence is preserved
• The value of your claim
• Whether your case settles fairly or goes to trial
• How supported you feel throughout the process

This isn’t a small decision. It can impact your finances, your recovery, and your family’s future for years, so it should never be rushed.

If You’ve Already Been Approached, Don’t Panic

Here’s the most important thing to remember:

Being approached doesn’t lock you into anything. You still have control, even if you talked to someone, even if you signed something, and even if you feel unsure about what happened. There are options.

You can:

• Review what you signed
• Ask questions
• Seek a second opinion
• Talk to another firm about your rights

Many people don’t realize this, but you’re allowed to make changes if something doesn’t feel right. Your case belongs to you, not the first person who got your signature.

Take Your Time. Ask Questions. Protect Yourself.

After an accident, your only job should be healing. You shouldn’t have to wonder: “Why did they find me so fast?” or “Did I sign too quickly?”

If those questions are on your mind, it’s worth having a conversation with a firm that puts people first.

A short, pressure-free call can help you understand your rights and whether your current situation truly serves your best interests. Because when you’ve been hurt, you deserve an advocate, not a recruiter.

You can contact Morgan & Morgan anytime for a free case evaluation to learn more about your case and your options. 

There’s no fee, nor pressure, and no obligation. We are simply For the People and want to provide you with the resources to take your best next step toward justice and the compensation you need and deserve to move forward with your life.