FedEx sues law firm over alleged staged crashes, bogus injury lawsuits

By David Thomas and Mike Scarcella

April 8 (Reuters) - FedEx FDX.N has sued a New York personal injury law firm and its founder, alleging they ran a years‑long scheme that used staged or exaggerated vehicle crashes to squeeze money from the delivery giant through lawsuits and insurance claims.

FedEx said in its lawsuit on Tuesday in Manhattan federal court that Ikhilov Law Group and its owner, attorney Zorik “Erik” Ikhilov, were central figures in what the company described as a coordinated operation involving doctors and medical clinics.

Ikhilov and his firm allegedly steered accident claimants into treatment designed to turn minor crashes into major injury cases. FedEx said the law firm helped gather paperwork, send medical records and file court claims that invented or overstated injuries and justified costly procedures in an effort to boost settlement demands.

Ikhilov did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The complaint also listed several medical providers as defendants, including radiologists, chiropractors and surgical providers.

The lawsuit follows similar complaints by Uber Technologies UBER.N against law firms in Los Angeles, Miami and Philadelphia federal courts alleging lawyers worked in conjunction with medical providers to file fraudulent personal injury claims against the ride-share company.

FedEx said in its lawsuit it was targeted like Uber because of the companies' "deep pockets." In a statement, FedEx said it is "committed to protecting our customers and team members from fraudulent behavior."

The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages and a court order barring the defendants from continuing the alleged conduct. The case includes claims under the federal anti-racketeering law known as RICO, as well as claims of common law fraud, unjust enrichment and deceptive trade practices.

FedEx in the complaint said it is not challenging legitimate personal injury cases. It said Ikhilov and others crossed the line by filing lawsuits and court papers based on false accounts of how crashes happened and whether the injuries were real or caused by those crashes.

The lawsuit said Ikhilov knowingly submitted false claims and verified complaints in New York state courts, forcing FedEx to defend against cases that would not otherwise exist.

The case is FedEx v. Ikhilov Law Group et al, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, No. 1:26-cv-02859.

For plaintiff: William Clay, Adam Gallagher, Michael Graves and Aaron Meyer of The Willis Law Group PLLC