Health Insurance Bad Faith: Help for Patients and Consumers
While you may have an insurance claim denied for legitimate reasons, this is not always the case. Sometimes you’ll have a legitimate claim denied for reasons that are arbitrary or unjust. This is an example of insurance bad faith. Our Provo, UT lawyers can help with these kinds of legal cases, appealing your insurance denial and taking the insurer to court if need be. Bad faith in medical coverage can be the most painful and tragic of cases. We relay on medical insurers to help us pay for crucial health procedures, some of which may literally mean the difference between life and death. Examples of Bad Faith on the Part of Insurers Health insurance companies can engage in a number of unjust practices with regard to insurance. This includes: Refusing to pay a claim covered by your insurance policy Intentional delays in the processing of your insurance claim Requiring excessive documentation or reports on your part Only making partial payments on your claim Canceling your coverage due to the nature of your claim Refusing medical coverage because of a recent diagnosis Poor investigation of your legitimate claim In addition to the above, some insurance companies make threats against their policy holders, which is something that should never be tolerated. The Pains of Paying Out of Pocket The cost of medical care is extremely high in the United States. Some people can only receive the treatment they need because of their health care plan. If you are forced to pay for an entire medical procedure out of pocket without help from insurance, it could put you in a great deal of debt that takes a long time to overcome. Steps to Filing an Insurance Claim Be sure that you’re filing an insurance claim, the treatment or nature of treatment is covered by your insurance policy. Provide all of the required documentation when filing your claim as well, following the stipulations in your policy to the letter. All the while, be sure to keep records. Make copies of documents being filed, and log any phone or email conversations regarding your claim. This can all be used as evidence in the case of a denial or other unethical actions made by an insurance company. Appealing the Denial of a Legitimate Claim When appealing a denied insurance claim, it’s important that you consult with an attorney as soon as possible. A lawyer will help you navigate the complexities of your insurance policy and assist with the appeal process. This helps you make sure your appeal is filed in a timely manner and is as airtight as possible. Our Lawyers Are on Your Side In addition to helping with denied claims, our lawyers will fight for you when your insurance company mistreats you or violates the stipulations of your coverage. We will not be intimidated by their legal team, and will always have your back throughout this process. You can count on us for legal counsel during this difficult time. Learn More About Insurance Bad Faith Lawsuits For more information about your legal rights and options against insurance companies, be sure to contact an experienced insurance attorney. The lawyers at our firm are here to help you and your loved ones in your time of legal need.
Gun Manufacturer Liability in Shooting Accidents
When a product causes injury to consumers who are using it safely, it’s important that the company responsible for the product be held accountable for any injuries that occur. This goes for everything from automobiles to consumer electronics. It also cover firearms. The lawyers at our Provo, UT law firm would like to consider firearm accidents caused by various defects. In such cases, it’s important that the gun maker be held accountable. Let’s cover some of the basics about these cases and the legal challenges of taking on gun makers. Firearm Design Defects Sometimes a gun misfires as a result of poor design. These defects mean that the weapon is inherently dangerous because of its design features. Even if the gun is handled safely, the risk of an accidental shooting or injury is higher. Firearm Manufacturing Defects Manufacturing defects with firearms mean that the gun is otherwise safe, but a problem during the manufacturing process has led to safety problems. The wrong materials may have been used for different parts of the weapon. There may also be problems with quality control that allow poorly manufactured weapons onto the market. Lack of Sufficient Firearm Warnings Guns that have certain features may require extra warning for consumers. Failure to notify gun owners of these risks could result in accidental shootings and even fatal injuries. Extremely Sensitive Triggers When guns have hair triggers, it’s important that consumers be given fair warning. Knowing that extra caution is necessary when handling the firearm can mean the difference between safe use and an accidental shooting. Safety Malfunctions Many firearms have a safety that helps prevent unintentional discharge and accidental shootings from occurring. There are times when these safeties fail, resulting in serious harm. Increased Risk of Misfire Some firearms are more like to misfire than others, whether a result of design or problems in manufacturing. Even people who are using these gun responsibly may wind up experiencing an accidental discharge simply because of these issues. Increased Risk of Backfire While very rare, a gun can potentially backfire if there is a problem with he gun barrel or general design. These kinds of malfunctions can lead to injuries for the person holding the gun as well as people nearby. Increased Risk of Slamfire Slamfire occurs when a gun fires when a bullet is in the chamber but without the trigger being pulled. This can be the result of a floating pin or other problems with the firearm or the ammunition. The Challenges of Taking on Gun Companies While gun companies can be sued for negligence, these kinds of cases can be challenging since gun companies have special legal protections in place thanks to the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, or PLCAA, which became law in 2005. In addition to the PLCAA, gun companies have powerful legal teams in place, which makes legal challenges of all kinds difficult. How Our Attorneys Can Help The lawyers of Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton will not be intimidated by companies, their legal teams, or any kind of special interest. Our focus in on the lives and livelihoods of our clients. After assessing the nature of your case, we will offer expert counsel concerning your legal options. While we focus on the filings and evidence, you and your family can focus on moving forward with life. This legal peace of mind can prove invaluable. Contact the Lawyers of Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton For more information about your legal options following an accidental shooting, be sure to contact our team of product liability lawyers. The attorneys of Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton stand by injury victims and their loved ones.