ROI NJ: When lawsuit ads become a public health problem
By Jeanette Hoffman, Patients Come First New Jersey’s Executive Director
Every night, television viewers in New Jersey are bombarded with a familiar message: alarming law firm advertisements disguised as healthcare alerts warning about the dangers of prescription drugs and medical devices. These ads—often slickly produced and emotionally charged—urge viewers to “call now” if they’ve taken a certain medication, use a medical device, or have had a certain implant. However, they don’t often give a full, accurate picture of the facts.
New polling from the national consumer group Patients Come First (PCF) shines a bright light on the problem. Two-thirds of Americans surveyed—66%—say these ads can make people unnecessarily fearful of medications that medical experts consider safe and effective. And an overwhelming 87% want legal ads to include a clear reminder to talk to a doctor before stopping or changing treatment.
These findings should alarm anyone who cares about patient safety. For New Jerseyans, the stakes are particularly high. The Garden State is home to some of the nation’s leading hospitals, research centers, and pharmaceutical companies. Millions of residents depend on prescription drugs to manage chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and depression. When legal ads sow doubt, it’s not a harmless public service—it’s a potential health risk.
Both the American Medical Association (AMA) and the AARP have expressed concerns regarding the impact of lawsuit advertisements on patient health and breaking the trust and comfortability between the physician-patient relationship.
In 2016, the AMA noted that these ads often emphasize potential severe side effects without providing context about the actual risks or benefits of the medications, leading to unnecessary fear among patients. These ads cause patients to not only question their medications but also question the integrity of their doctors and the medical community. AARP also strongly recommended that doctors and patients have a conversation about the medication before a patient chooses to stop or alter their treatment plan.
When Lawyers are Louder than Doctors
PCF National Spokesperson, Kasia Mulligan, put it bluntly: “Patients deserve accurate, science-based information, and that should come from their healthcare providers – not from a commercial meant to generate mass lawsuits.”
She’s right. But for many patients, especially seniors or those managing complex conditions, a fear-inducing message can do serious damage. For example, an ominous commercial can cause someone to skip a dose, delay treatment, or stop medication altogether without medical guidance. The result? Increased ER visits, avoidable hospitalizations, and even life-threatening complications.
Ironically, the law firms claim these ads are meant to seek justice, but they can harm the very people they are seeking to protect.
Read the full op-ed in ROI NJ here.