State Farm Accuses Clients Of Fraud To Avoid Paying Claims
What happens when you are seriously hurt in an automobile accident and have State Farm Insurance? Based upon the cases we're handling in this office, it's very possible State Farm will accuse you of fraud and refuse to pay your doctors' bills or lost wages resulting from the accident.
For instance, one of our clients was involved in a severe automobile accident and has undergone surgery on her neck and another surgery for her shoulder. She is currently scheduled for another surgery for her low back and has been unable to work for more than a year. All of this client's many doctors have told State Farm that these injuries were caused by the accident and that the client cannot work. Realizing it would have to pay thousands of dollars to the client's doctors and in lost wages, State Farm denied the claim alleging that our client somehow committed fraud. As a result, we were forced to sue State Farm to make it pay the benefits our client is entitled to. In court, State Farm attempted to have our client's case thrown out of court for her alleged fraud. I am happy to report that we prevailed today and the trial court was not persuaded by State Farm's spurious arguments whatsoever.
In another case, our client was involved in a severe roll-over accident. He sustained a serious back injury and his doctor, neurosurgeon and neurologist all have indicated to State Farm that he needs signficant medical treatment and is unable to continue working until he recieves the necessary care. State Farm refused to pay and accused our client of lying about his address at the time of the accident. Our client then gave State Farm a stack of documents and proof that he lived at the address he claimed but they still refused to pay. State Farm even hired a private investigator that videotaped our client coming and going from the address he claimed but they still refused to pay. We filed suit and were successful in getting the Court to Order State Farm to immediately begin paying for Plaintiff's necessary care and treatment. Hopefully now, our client can receive the medical treatment he so desperately needs to allow him to return to his normal life.
In another case, our elderly client's $60,000 vehicle was vandalized and torched to a crisp while parked on the street in Detroit. Not wanting to pay the replacement cost for this vehicle, State Farm actually accused our senior citizen client of torching it herself, forcing her to file suit as well. Until we win this case, and because of State Farm's accusations, our senior citizen client, on a fixed income, is forced to continue making payments on a car she no longer has.
Finally, we had another case where an elderly lady sustained injuries and treated with a chiropractor and orthopedic surgeon for a short period of time. State Farm refused to pay these bills which were nominal which forced our client to file suit. During trial, State Farm then accused our clienf of fraud to justify its non-payment of benefits. Not only did the jury award our client every penny she asked for, the trial court was so offended by State Farm's unreasonable denial of this claim, it ordered State Farm to pay an additional $20,000.00 in penalties.
The purpose of this post is to advise people with State Farm insurance how State Farm is presently handling some serious claims and the lengths it will go to avoid paying you the benefits they owe you. Given this type of conduct, it is probably adviseable to retain a knowledgeable attorney early on to assist you with your claim.
For instance, one of our clients was involved in a severe automobile accident and has undergone surgery on her neck and another surgery for her shoulder. She is currently scheduled for another surgery for her low back and has been unable to work for more than a year. All of this client's many doctors have told State Farm that these injuries were caused by the accident and that the client cannot work. Realizing it would have to pay thousands of dollars to the client's doctors and in lost wages, State Farm denied the claim alleging that our client somehow committed fraud. As a result, we were forced to sue State Farm to make it pay the benefits our client is entitled to. In court, State Farm attempted to have our client's case thrown out of court for her alleged fraud. I am happy to report that we prevailed today and the trial court was not persuaded by State Farm's spurious arguments whatsoever.
In another case, our client was involved in a severe roll-over accident. He sustained a serious back injury and his doctor, neurosurgeon and neurologist all have indicated to State Farm that he needs signficant medical treatment and is unable to continue working until he recieves the necessary care. State Farm refused to pay and accused our client of lying about his address at the time of the accident. Our client then gave State Farm a stack of documents and proof that he lived at the address he claimed but they still refused to pay. State Farm even hired a private investigator that videotaped our client coming and going from the address he claimed but they still refused to pay. We filed suit and were successful in getting the Court to Order State Farm to immediately begin paying for Plaintiff's necessary care and treatment. Hopefully now, our client can receive the medical treatment he so desperately needs to allow him to return to his normal life.
In another case, our elderly client's $60,000 vehicle was vandalized and torched to a crisp while parked on the street in Detroit. Not wanting to pay the replacement cost for this vehicle, State Farm actually accused our senior citizen client of torching it herself, forcing her to file suit as well. Until we win this case, and because of State Farm's accusations, our senior citizen client, on a fixed income, is forced to continue making payments on a car she no longer has.
Finally, we had another case where an elderly lady sustained injuries and treated with a chiropractor and orthopedic surgeon for a short period of time. State Farm refused to pay these bills which were nominal which forced our client to file suit. During trial, State Farm then accused our clienf of fraud to justify its non-payment of benefits. Not only did the jury award our client every penny she asked for, the trial court was so offended by State Farm's unreasonable denial of this claim, it ordered State Farm to pay an additional $20,000.00 in penalties.
The purpose of this post is to advise people with State Farm insurance how State Farm is presently handling some serious claims and the lengths it will go to avoid paying you the benefits they owe you. Given this type of conduct, it is probably adviseable to retain a knowledgeable attorney early on to assist you with your claim.
posted by Neil Davis, Esq. at
10:22 AM
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