You may be able to sue the insurance company when they deny your claim, but you do not want to be in that position in the first place. If you do need to take action, the insurance claims denial attorneys at Quincey Law can fight for your rights. 

When you file an insurance claim, the insurance company will review it to determine whether they will pay under the terms of your policy. There are many things that you will need to include along with the claim.

Perhaps the most important thing is the documentation of the damage and your losses. How you document your claim can determine whether it is granted or denied.

Schedule a free initial consultation with an insurance bad faith attorney at Quincey Law when you are getting the runaround on your claim. We relish taking on big businesses when they are not doing right by our clients.

If the damages that you have suffered fall under the terms of your policy, the insurance company will need to pay your claim. The insurance company typically knows whether your claim needs to be covered as soon as they review it. However, they will also go through your documentation and the language of your policy with a fine-tooth comb. As the claimant, you have the burden to show that your damages should be covered. You will do this through the documentation that you submit along with your claim.

There are certain things that you need to pay attention to when you are filing an insurance claim, no matter what type of claim it is. You need to be meticulous and organized when you are documenting your claim. The rule of thumb is that the insurance company will not assume anything. If they do not see it in your claim, it is as if whatever you have claimed does not exist.

Here are some things that you need to keep in mind when you are documenting your insurance claim:

• Gather documentation right after the loss: To present the most effective plan, you should assemble the proof and pictures as soon as possible after the loss. The more time that passes after the incident, the more the insurance company will question the claim if you waited to take pictures and gather documentation.
• Be as detailed as possible about your documentation: You should err on the side of providing as much documentation as you possibly can, both to show what happened and the extent of the loss. The insurance company needs to be able to draw their own conclusion from the proof that you have provided.
• Clearly describe what was lost: You cannot make broad general statements about what you may have lost. You will need to provide a detailed inventory, along with comprehensive descriptions of the items that you lost. 
• Be as truthful as possible: You do not need to act like you have to persuade the insurance company to cover your loss from your claim. They will see the evidence that you have provided and reach their own determination. You can get yourself into trouble and increase the chances of a claim denial if you are not truthful in your claim. 
• Show that you have mitigated your damages: Not only do you need proof of the loss, but you must also show that you did what is in your power to mitigate your losses. You must do things like board up your home and cover the roof to the fullest extent possible, and be prepared to prove that you have done it. 
  

To be clear, your insurance company can always deny your claim. However, if they refuse to pay a well-documented claim that has a strict basis in the language of your policy, they are taking significant risks.

Under California law, you may sue an insurance company that unreasonably denies a claim. Not only could you force them to pay for the damages that they are refusing to cover, but you could also receive compensation directly from them in a bad faith lawsuit. The best thing that you can do is to submit the strongest possible claim at the outset that will make the insurance company think twice before they deny it. 

If your claim has been denied, or if you are having a difficult time with the insurance company, speak to an insurance claims denial attorney at Quincey Law. Our attorneys will speak with you in a free initial consultation, which you can schedule by messaging us online or by calling us today at (866) 945-9175. 

Trusts and estates attorneys are valued advisors, guiding families through some of life’s most significant transitions.

While the expertise of these professionals lies in asset protection, estate planning, and probate administration, they may encounter situations where clients’ interests coincide with ongoing injury claims.

This is where collaboration with a personal injury lawyer can be mutually beneficial, and create innovative, client-centered solutions that no single specialist could achieve alone. Let’s discuss the benefits of this fusion of legal expertise.

One of the most overlooked aspects in estate planning and administration is the potential for unresolved personal injury claims. Whether your client has suffered a recent accident or is the executor of an estate where the decedent was injured prior to death, there may be significant claims – sometimes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars – waiting to be discovered and pursued.

For example, Camp Lejeune lawsuits that require probate will benefit from the insight and records held by the client’s injury lawyer. Likewise, medical malpractice resolutions may be paid through structured settlements to cover the costs of special and long-term needs, which will impact trusts. These situations should prompt you to consider patterning with an injury attorney. This collaboration will ensure that no stone is left unturned, and that your clients’ financial interests are fully protected.

Taken a step further, a personal injury settlement or award can dramatically increase the value of an estate. For example, if a client is incapacitated or passes away due to an accident, a skilled personal injury attorney can pursue claims that bring substantial funds into the estate. These funds can be used to pay debts, fulfill bequests, or provide for dependents. By working with a personal injury lawyer, you are safeguarding your client’s legacy and enhancing your own value as a comprehensive advisor.

Many trusts and estates attorneys work with elderly or disabled clients who may be particularly vulnerable to accidents and injuries. In these situations, a personal injury lawyer can help secure compensation to pay for long-term care, medical expenses, or special needs trusts. This is an often-overlooked area of a personal injury practice that brings tremendous value to any client and their family. While injury lawyers might have reputations for being “fighters” or “warriors” in the courtroom, the majority are also incredibly empathic professionals who quickly and authentically connect with their clients. This additional advocate becomes an important contributor to the client’s quality of life and ultimately their financial health. 

Several types of trusts are commonly connected to personal injury cases to address specific client needs. The most common types that benefit from this new relationship include:

• Special Needs Trusts, designed for clients who receive means-tested government benefits like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income.
• Settlement Protection Trusts are often used for clients who may not qualify for public benefits but need long-term management of their settlement funds, such as minors or individuals with limited financial experience.
• Minor’s Trusts are established when the injured party is a child, providing court-supervised management of funds until the child reaches adulthood. In some cases, Spendthrift Trusts are used to protect assets from creditors or poor financial decisions.

The choice of trust depends on the client’s age, mental capacity, family situation, and long-term care needs, and is determined through careful consultation between the personal injury and trusts attorneys.

Personal injury claims often involve complicated legal and procedural issues, including statutes of limitations, insurance subrogation, and Medicare or Medicaid liens. These matters can significantly impact estate administration. A personal injury lawyer brings specialized knowledge to the table, ensuring that claims are filed timely and that settlements are structured to minimize tax consequences and avoid jeopardizing government benefits.

Strong communication is essential in multidisciplinary legal matters, especially when coordinating personal injury claims with estate administration. Lasting partnerships between personal injury and trusts attorneys share these practices:

• Establishing clear expectations and preferred communication methods (email, phone, meetings) from the outset.
• Designating point persons for specific questions and updates, ensuring everyone knows who to contact for each aspect of the case.
• Maintaining organized, documented timelines and records so all team members are aligned and informed about case developments.
• Providing regular updates and promptly addressing questions or concerns as they arise.
• Practicing active listening and encouraging feedback to ensure all perspectives and client needs are understood and addressed.

This structured, open approach ensures seamless collaboration and also leaves room for flexibility in an emergency, ultimately leading to better client service.

Collaboration is a two-way street. Personal injury attorneys frequently encounter clients who need estate planning or probate assistance after receiving a settlement or judgment. By building relationships with personal injury attorneys, you create opportunities for reciprocal referrals, expanding your practice and reinforcing your reputation as a trusted advisor.

Steve Jobs once said, “Great things in business are never done by one person. They're done by a team of people.” That’s also true in the legal profession.

In the modern legal landscape, we have increased access to experienced talent, and trusts and estates attorneys who collaborate with personal injury lawyers offer more comprehensive, valuable service to their clients. By moving beyond the “lone wolf” model and embracing teamwork, you can demonstrate what makes you truly unique by uncovering hidden assets, maximizing estate value, navigating legal complexities, and protecting vulnerable clients – while also growing your own practice.