When Insurance Companies Act in Bad Faith
If an insurance company delayed or denied claims or failed to to protect your assets while defending against a lawsuit, you may be the victim of insurance bad faith.
An insurance policy is a contract between you and the insurance company. If you pay your premiums, the company covers losses as described in the policy and defends you against policy-related lawsuits.
The insurance bad faith attorneys of Stolpman Law Group represent policyholders in claims against their own insurance companies, as well as in cases in which a judgment is entered against an insured for an amount greater that the available insurance (These are commonly called “Excess Verdict Cases”).. We represent individuals and businesses in disputes involving auto, home, business and private disability insurance. (We do not handle claims involving insurance you receive from your employer.)
$6.4 Million for Insurance Bad Faith
We represented an Ethiopian man who came to this country and lived the American dream— until a fire destroyed his business and he tangled with an insurance company.
When he first came to America he drove a cab. He eventually bought two cabs and a dry cleaning business. One day, a fire broke out in the dry cleaning shop and the building burned down.
Because of his race and ethnicity, his insurance company accused him of burning down his own business and refused to pay his fire loss claim. We proved the insurance company acted in bad faith and won $3.5 million for our client.
Insurance companies have an obligation to settle claims within the limits of the insured’s insurance policy. If they refuse the opportunity to settle within policy limits and a jury decides a case in excess of that amount, the insurance company can be sued for bad faith. Our law firm has obtained millions of dollars in compensation for clients in these so-called excess verdict cases. In many instances, the insurance companies are required to pay legal fees, preserving more of the recovery for the party who was wronged.
$8.8 Million to Compensate parents whose son was killed
The insurance company defending a homeowner refused to timely offer their policy amount of $300,000. The parents went to trial and the jury awarded $4.5 Million. The then hired Tom Stolpman to go after the insurance company for the whole ward and punitive damages. The second jury awarded the parents $8.8 Million which was collected after we prevailed on appeal.
Failure to Defend
We not only represent client in cases involving denied claims, we also represent people whose insurance companies failed to defend them after being sued for their involvement in a car accident or for allegedly causing an injury at their home of place of business.
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Contact the insurance bad faith attorneys of Stolpman Law Group to arrange a free consultation about your case. From offices in Long Beach, our lawyers represent clients in the Los Angeles area and throughout Southern California.
Insurance Bad Faith : Articles & FAQs
If you believe you have been wrongfully denied an insurance payment for a covered loss, you have a right to seek compensation for bad faith. If you wish to review your options, talk to an experienced insurance lawyer as soon as possible. The law imposes a statute of limitations, which varies from state to state, giving you a limited time in which to pursue your claim. Contact an experienced insurance attorney to discuss your options.
A bad faith denial of an insurance claim is a breach of the insurer’s duty to exercise good faith and fair dealing, which is implied in every insurance contract. There are a number of ways an insurance company may act in bad faith. For more information about bad faith claims, talk to an experienced lawyer.
If your insurance company denies your claim for benefits, you may wonder what your options are. You do not have to accept that initial denial as the final answer. As a first step, you may ask a supervisor at the insurance company to review the claim and denial. You can also contact your state’s insurance regulatory agency about the claim, and finally, you can speak to an attorney. If you suspect that the insurance company acted in bad faith in processing or denying your claim, talk to an experienced lawyer about your situation.
The following are just some of the verdicts and settlements we have have successfully obtained for clients…
Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation
To arrange a free consultation about your case, please contact the attorneys of Stolpman Law Group. From offices in Long Beach and Los Olivos, our lawyers represent clients in the Los Angeles area and throughout Central and Southern California.