[Tallahassee, FL] You’ve probably seen their ads on TV. They feature a guy wearing what is quite obviously a cop Halloween costume telling you to call 411-PAIN after an auto accident.
You could be eligible for up to $100,000 if you just call the number, claim the ads. The cop from The Village People was more believable.
“With over 15 years of experience we can direct you towards getting your life back to normal and easing your pain and suffering,” quipped the 411-PAIN website.
“If you are injured an auto accident you may be entitled up to thousands of dollars in personal injury protection benefits and lost wages depending on the facts of your case,” it says (notice the grammatical error before “thousands” indicating a recent change).
Well, Florida Attorney General (FLAG) Pam Bondi has announced that her office has agreed to a pricy settlement with the company medical and lawyer referral service over the ads. This after Bondi filed a lawsuit against the Florida-based company over its business practices.
The company has agreed to change its ways going forward and will pony up a $550,000 “charitable” contribution for breaking a Florida Statute that says that it is unlawful to advertise potential dollar amounts paid out to victims in excess of $10,000.
Oh, and they have to stop using the guy dressed as a cop unless it clearly states in the ad that he is a “Paid Actor.” Apparently, the FLAG was afraid that someone would mistake the gentleman for an actual cop (and not a stripper?) and feel that they were “told” to call 411-PAIN.
“We are protecting consumers by requiring 411-PAIN to change its representation of services and its advertising practices,” stated Bondi.
So who gets the $550,000? Half of that penalty will go to the Broward Health Foundation and the other half will go to the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital to aid in covering the costs of indigent trauma patients.
NOTE: Pictures of the cop-actor guy were still available (seen above) on the 411PAIN.com website in the photo gallery.
By: Adam Rousso/Sunshine Slate
Images: 411-PAIN
411-PAIN
