A Tampa, Florida-based law firm is experiencing an onslaught of backlash after publishing a Facebook post suggesting that people target large trucking companies to get “run over” by.
On Friday, July 14th, the FIOL Law Group published a link on their Facebook page, leading to a NBC news story about insurance payouts to victims of tractor trailer wrecks. Along with the link, the law firm wrote, “The bottom line is that if you’re going to get run over by a big commercial vehicle, make sure it’s owned by a big wealthy company!”
The law firm’s comment immediately sparked backlash. The FIOL Law Group Facebook page started receiving negative comments and reviews from people upset by the remarks.
“Advocating insurance fraud by telling your possible clients to endanger their lives by trying to get hit by a ‘rich’ tractor trailer company? You should be disbarred. I’m not a truck driver but as a paramedic, I know what these accidents look like first hand. Shame on you for wanteing anybody to go through that,” said one user review.
“Publicly made a statement that if you’re going to get hit by a truck to make sure it’s a rich trucking company. Advocating fraud and potentially someone’s death to make a quick buck,” read another.
When the negative comments continued, the law firm decided to edit the post, slightly altering the phrasing.
The post, however, continued to attract attention after being shared in various trucking-related Facebook groups.
Ultimately, the firm decided to remove the post altogether and disable all reviews on their Facebook page.
In the days after the backlash, the FIOL Law Group Facebook page has posted numerous positive reviews from past clients, leaving no traces of the poorly received post.