When you suffer an injury or illness, you rely on your insurance company to cover the costs of medical treatment, lost wages, and other related expenses. You deserve a fair settlement to ensure you are not burdened with out-of-pocket costs. Unfortunately, some insurance companies act in bad faith by underpaying or outright denying claims.
At Babbit, Mitchell & Ogle (BMO) law firm, we have extensive experience handling denied claims across various types of cases, including:
- Car accidents
- Spinal cord injuries
- Truck accidents
- Scooter injuries
- Motorcycle accidents
- Burn injuries
- Wrongful death
- Brain injuries
If you’ve experienced any of these incidents and your insurance claim was denied without a valid reason, contact a knowledgeable personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
Common Types of Bad Faith Claims
Insurance companies may not always treat injured claimants with empathy or kindness, but that does not mean you have a bad faith claim. The insurance company’s obligation to pay claims is governed by the terms of the applicable policy. Bad faith may be suspected if they delay the process unnecessarily or deny you the compensation you are entitled to.
Examples of bad faith practices include:
- Denying a claim without providing a valid reason or explanation
- Failing to investigate a claim thoroughly and promptly
- Making an unreasonably low settlement offer for a claim that is clearly covered
- Deliberately misrepresenting or withholding coverage information
- Refusing to pay for necessary medical services, procedures, or supplies without substantial evidence
- Refusing to settle a case when it is clear that the policyholder is at fault, which leaves the policyholder vulnerable to a lawsuit
- Enforcing deadlines or time limits not mentioned in the insurance policy
- Ignoring or delaying responses to phone calls or emails
The above list is just a few examples of bad faith by insurance companies. If you believe an insurance company has acted in bad faith handling your claim, seek legal advice. You should not continue to fight with the insurance company alone.
Compensation Available in a Bad Faith Case
If your insurance company has unfairly denied your claim, you have the right to seek compensation. This compensation can cover both the losses you originally suffered in the accident and any additional damages caused by the insurance company’s bad faith actions. These may include:
- Accident losses covered by your policy, such as medical bills, property damage, and lost wages.
- Emotional distress resulting from the insurer’s misconduct. When you are injured and your bills are mounting, dealing with an uncooperative insurance company can cause stress, anxiety, depression, and other forms of emotional distress.
- Financial expenses incurred due to the insurer’s bad faith practices, which may include attorney’s fees and expenses.
- Punitive damages may be available to you if the court wants to punish the insurance company for its wrongful actions. Punitive damages are also intended to send a message to other insurance companies to avoid similar illegal activities.
If you have an insurance company that is acting in bad faith, contact a personal injury attorney as BMO. We can review the actions of the insurance company and determine whether you have a claim of bad faith and what compensation you may be able to recover.
What if I Cannot Afford to Hire an Attorney?
The personal injury attorneys at BMO work on a contingency fee basis. We understand that accident victims are already facing a significant financial burden, so we do not get paid unless you get paid. There are no upfront fees or costs when you hire us, and if you do not recover compensation in a settlement or at trial, you do not pay us for our services.
Contact Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys
At Babbit, Mitchell & Ogle Law Firm, our OKC personal injury lawyers work individually with each of our clients to address specific needs that each client has in their respective case. Issues like recovery, medical bills, and loss of wages are addressed in each individual case. Helping our clients with these issues and others is what eliminates the stress for our clients and helps them return to their everyday lives. Our firm’s focus is to make sure that all our clients’ needs are met and that each of our clients is adequately compensated for their loss, pain, and suffering. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
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The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only. All information on the site is provided in good faith; however, we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any information on the site.
The information contained on this website is not intended as, and shall not be understood or construed as, professional advice. While we endeavor to provide accurate and timely information, no information on this site should be seen as a substitute for professional advice. You should consult with a professional before making any decisions based on the information provided.