Insurance Company Lawyers Try to Silence Hurricane Sandy Victims, Prevent Investigation of Fraud

Last week, we told you about allegations that insurance carriers altered documents to avoid paying claims in cases arising from Hurricane Sandy. In case you missed it, you can find it here.

Just two days after we posted our blog entry, the federal judges overseeing the administration of hundreds of Sandy claims held an emergency hearing to address a settlement agreement proposed by insurance company lawyers that appeared, to plaintiffs’ lawyers, to be illegal and unethical. The proposed agreement would have required homeowners to give up their right to cooperate with the ongoing state and federal investigations into the fraud allegations we told you about.

The judges agreed with plaintiffs’ counsel. One of the magistrates said that the document the insurance companies or corporate defendants wanted homeowners to sign was “so far over-reaching, it’s mind-blowing.” Another expressed concern that the proposed release could violate state and federal law.

This development underscores the importance of standing up for your rights as an insured. That means arming yourself with a representative who knows how to fight for what you are entitled to. If insurance companies or corporate defendants are willing to do things like alter documents and pressure policyholders to forfeit their legal rights using unethical, illegal tactics, in litigation, what do you think they will do to the unrepresented homeowner?

Daly & Black, P.C., fights these insurance companies or corporate defendants every single day. We know what lengths they will go to in order to avoid paying claims when they have cheerfully collected your premiums for years. We know the right questions to ask.

If you believe your insurance company is handling your insurance claim unfairly, call us.