Bad Faith
Insurance bad faith, also known as “insurance fraud” is the term used to describe the mistreatment of consumers and businesses by insurance carriers.
Unfortunately, insurance bad faith is a common occurrence in Omaha. Insurance fraud — which is essentially deceit or unfair dealing — includes the different ways in which an insurance carrier frustrates the insured’s right to receive the proper insurance benefits stated in their contract. Common examples are:
- The insurance company denies the insured individual, family or company the complete benefits listed in the policy
- An insurer attempts to unjustifiably offer less compensation than what is due under the policy
- The insurance carrier unreasonably delays payment to an insured (delaying is a common strategy that can be achieved by inadequate investigation(s) by the insurer, acts of claims adjusters, or coercive tactics, for example)
In every insurance contract, there is a stated or implied “covenant of good faith and fair dealing,” which means that both the insurance carrier and the insured party are to act fairly, with good faith, concerning the parameters of their contract. The insurance carrier is expected to fully compensate the insured in a timely manner when appropriate.
Compensatory and Punitive Damages
When an insurance company acts in bad faith, the conduct is legally actionable as a tort, or a civil wrong. The insured can file a lawsuit against the insurance carrier, seeking compensation for the money owed (compensatory damages) and “punitive” damages (money that the insurance company must pay simply as punishment for their misdeeds).
How an Insurance Fraud Attorney Can Help
Because insurance fraud lawsuits can be confusing and complex, they require the expertise and knowledge of an attorney who has experience with these types of cases. A qualified insurance fraud attorney will thoroughly examine your situation and fight for maximum compensation.
If you have been the victim of insurance fraud in Omaha, you should contact Injury Lawyer Omaha immediately to speak to a skilled legal professional. The Omaha insurance fraud attorneys at Injury Lawyer Omaha have years of experience in handling these types of cases.
The Injury Lawyer Omaha Law Offices have been involved in several multi-million dollar insurance fraud verdicts and settlements and have been at the forefront of several landmark California court decisions that protect consumers from insurance bad faith. Contact us today to see how we can help you.