Personal Injury
Insurance Claims, Disputes, & Wrongful Death
Personal Injury Claims
Doctor bills, time out of work, feeling awful, being grouchy to family. Those are just some of the side dishes to the main course of an accident. When you have been hurt, you have a lot of questions and your need to know who to trust. I have represented accident victims for many years. I know the answers to the questions you have, and can tell you what to expect during the process.
You must seek medical care within 14 days of a car accident.
The worst part of an accident is that most of the time, the person who is hurt the worst was the one who wasn’t doing anything wrong. And the person who is hurt the worst has to deal with the process of getting better…with doctor appointments, physical therapy, MRIs or other tests. To add insult to injury, then, many times, the insurance company wants recorded statements or Examinations Under Oath (EUOs) or an examination by their doctor (who is trying to find a way to stop another doctor from treating). There is nothing “independent” about the insurance company’s review of a claim. It is all designed to benefit the insurance company one way or another. Be ready for that.
Insurance Disputes
Insurance companies will settle your claim for as little as possible. Do not let them do this without knowing your rights first! Get armed with information before you enter into a quick settlement with a well-trained adjuster who works for the insurance company.
Report a claim immediately, but I recommend that you consult with counsel before giving a statement to the insurance company. Failure to cooperate with the insurance company’s investigation can be a way for the company not to pay your claim, so you want to report the claim. The professional working for the company will want to “just ask a few questions.” You are entering the danger zone here. Be aware that anything you say can and will be used against you.
Have your own professional representing your interests when dealing with an insurance company, whether it’s your own or someone else’s. They are in the business of collecting premiums and paying out as little as possible, because they are running a business, which is expected to make a profit.
Wrongful Death
It is devastating when a loved one passes unexpectedly. Many facets of Florida law come in to play for a wrongful death case, including the legal aspect of what caused the death, the probate aspect of establishing the personal representative of the estate, potential recovery for the estate, disbursement of the estate to beneficiaries through a probate proceeding and many other non-legal issues. A guide through this process will make the unimaginable and difficult time easier. We work with the legal side and the family side to smooth the way, and to answer questions for all of the family members. If you were faced with this, please know that you are not alone. There is help through this unthinkable phase.
The first steps often involve figuring out what happened and who is the correct person to start the legal process. This is a time when any family needs help navigating the various scenarios. We are here to help you with this.
Get someone good on your side right away to help navigate the path.