The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) is a law set forth by the federal government that prohibits businesses from using certain telemarketing methods. The law’s purpose is to protect consumers from unsolicited calls, text messages, and other forms of communication.
The emergency exception under the TCPA allows businesses to engage in certain emergency communications without the consent of consumers. At Legal Conversion Center, our Houston legal intake service professionals are thoroughly familiar with the emergency exception and can provide your law firm with telemarketing services that are TCPA compliant.
Let’s take a closer look at the TCPA’s emergency exception.
What Is the Emergency Exception Under the TCPA?
To understand what the emergency exception under the TCPA is, it can be helpful to learn more about the rules that the law imposes. According to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), businesses that utilize telemarketing efforts must obtain express written consent from consumers before sending them automated faxes, calls, or SMS text messages.
The TCPA’s exception allows businesses and organizations to send emergency messages to consumers without prior consent. Under the TCPA exception, government entities, schools, healthcare facilities, and other organizations can send time-sensitive messages to the public that aim to protect their safety.
Examples of these emergency messages include, but aren’t limited to, the following:
- Health advisories
- Extreme weather alerts
- Public safety notices
- And more
Why Understanding the Emergency Exception Under the TCPA Is Important for Your Firm
If your law firm is considering using telemarketing efforts or is partnered with a legal intake service to solicit potential clients, it’s important to understand the rules and exceptions set forth by the TCPA. Failing to comply with the TCPA could result in serious financial penalties that hurt your business.
If your firm is found guilty of violating the TCPA, you could be fined between $500 and $1,500 for each violation. If your firm is heavily invested in telephone and SMS marketing, these fines can add up quickly, resulting in a considerable financial loss that may have catastrophic effects on your firm and its growth.
How to Ensure Your Firm’s Marketing Efforts Are TCPA Compliant
If you’re busy trying to represent your clients to the best of your ability, you probably don’t have time to research every rule and regulation that your team has to follow to stay TCPA compliant. That’s where a dedicated legal intake service can help.
A team of highly knowledgeable virtual receptionists will have in-depth knowledge of TCPA compliance standards and can ensure your marketing efforts don’t violate federal law.
In addition, if your organization needs to conduct emergency communications with consumers or potential clients, an intake service can determine if the specific message qualifies as an emergency exception under the TCPA. If it does qualify as an exception, the intake service will ensure calls and text messages are performed correctly and within the limits of the law.
Additional Benefits of Working With a Legal Intake Service
Having a team of highly trained legal intake specialists who understand what the emergency exception under the TCPA is isn’t the only benefit you’ll enjoy by working with a legal intake service.
In fact, there are a number of helpful services a 24/7 call center can provide to your firm. Here’s what you can expect from a legal intake service:
- Appointment scheduling
- Case management integration
- Dead lead follow-up
- Mass tort intake
- Customized intake
- Contract acquisition
- Web response
- Spanish support
- Telephone, fax, and SMS compliance
- And more
As you can see, a legal intake provider can offer a number of services geared toward generating leads and acquiring new clients. With the help of a skilled intake team, you’ll be able to connect with more individuals who need your services and, in turn, grow your law firm.
How a Legal Intake Service Can Help Your Law Firm Expand
By complying with federal regulations and the emergency exception under the TCPA, a legal intake service can ensure you aren’t met with a burdensome financial penalty. However, there’s so much more an intake service can do to help you firm.
By outsourcing your firm’s telemarketing efforts to an intake service, you’ll free up a great deal of time, money, and resources that can be redirected to projects that align with your law firm’s mission.
Whether your firm is focused on mass torts, personal injury, or criminal defense, hiring an intake service can help you grow those areas of practice and provide life-changing services to those who need them.
Learn More About the Benefits of Working With a Legal Intake Service
Now that you understand the emergency exception under the TCPA and the benefits of working with a legal intake service, it’s time for your law firm to take advantage of all the benefits that a virtual reception service has to offer.
Contact the team at Legal Conversion Center today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about the services we offer. We’ll meet with you to discuss your firm’s current telemarketing strategies, determine where your efforts could use improvement, and give you a quote on the services your firm needs to reach its true potential.