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"VA" May Not Be What It Seems

CNNMoney.com reported this month on what it called a "new legal trick: fake hospital sites for finding clients." A writer found that dozens of websites bore names such as "VA Medical Center Palo Alto." But they had no affiliation with the Veterans Administration. They were plaintiff law firms fishing for clients with asbestos-related claims. After the writer made some inquiries, the websites made slight changes: they added tiny disclaimers saying "not affiliated with with the Department of Veterans Affairs." Shortly, the sites disappeared. One of the law firms was the office of Melinda J. Helbock in Encinitas, which bills itself as a firm representing victims of asbestos-related illnesses. I called her office yesterday afternoon (April 22) and also sent an email with questions. I got no response to either. Of course, neither did CNNMoney.com.

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CNNMoney.com reported this month on what it called a "new legal trick: fake hospital sites for finding clients." A writer found that dozens of websites bore names such as "VA Medical Center Palo Alto." But they had no affiliation with the Veterans Administration. They were plaintiff law firms fishing for clients with asbestos-related claims. After the writer made some inquiries, the websites made slight changes: they added tiny disclaimers saying "not affiliated with with the Department of Veterans Affairs." Shortly, the sites disappeared. One of the law firms was the office of Melinda J. Helbock in Encinitas, which bills itself as a firm representing victims of asbestos-related illnesses. I called her office yesterday afternoon (April 22) and also sent an email with questions. I got no response to either. Of course, neither did CNNMoney.com.

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