An insurance policy is a legally binding contract between the person or entity being insured and the insurance company. It is important to thoroughly read any insurance policy you have so that you understand what is included and not included to help you avoid issues and disagreements with insurers in the event of a loss. Unfortunately, insurance claim disputes still happen. When an insurance company denies coverage or fails to pay valid claims, you may be entitled to file an appeal to obtain the compensation you deserve after suffering an injury or property damage. Insurance companies are only looking out for their best interests and will do anything to try and reduce or not pay out benefits in order to save money. You will need an attorney with hands-on experience in insurance litigation to handle these types of claims. Our Gresham personal injury lawyers at Rizk Law have helped resolve millions in claims for our clients. Founder Richard Rizk has extensive experience having worked as an attorney and in-house counsel for insurance companies. He knows how insurers think and how to advocate for injury will do everything to help those who have been victimized and abused by their power.
We can review your claim and discuss your legal options during a free, no obligation consultation. Our Gresham insurance claims lawyers work on a contingency fee basis and do not receive any form of payment unless you recover the compensation owed to you.
Get started today. Call 503.342.0783 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form.
Understanding the Insurance Claims Process
The insurance claims process will vary depending on the type of insurance you have, but there are some general steps you can take to ensure you are not being taken advantage of.
The first step is to examine your insurance policy so you understand your rights and responsibilities. This includes reviewing whether or not your policy covers your particular situation. You may also have multiple polices that could cover the same situation. This is also known as an umbrella policy. This type of policy provides coverage in addition to certain existing policies you may have.
The next step is to determine the applicable timelines for filing an insurance claim. The insurance company will inform you of the necessary documentation needed. It is also important that you keep track of all the expenses you incur as result of your injury or property damage, such as medical expenses, lost income and lost profits.
Your insurance company will then appoint a claims adjuster to evaluate your claim and determine how much the insurer will pay out or not.
In Oregon, insurance claims are governed by the Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs). The state gives insurance companies sufficient time – up to 30 days – to acknowledge claims and provide all the claims forms required, such as proof of loss. Once the forms have been submitted, the insurance company has only 45 days to either accept or deny your claim.
Why Was My Insurance Claim Denied?
There are many reasons why a claim could be denied. Insurance companies may look for loopholes in the language of your policy to reduce payouts or deny coverage altogether. An insurer may allege one or more of the following:
- Your policy does not cover or excludes your specific damage or injury
- Your policy coverage has lapsed due to not paying premiums or paying on time
- Your specific damage or injury falls outside the scope of the policy’s coverage
A Gresham insurance claims attorney at our firm can evaluate your situation to determine if the insurance company unfairly denied or devalued your claim. We have the skills and resources to take on large insurance companies and fight for the justice and fair compensation you are entitled.
Fill out our Free Case Evaluation form to get started.
Types of Insurance Claims We Handle in Gresham, Oregon
At Rizk Law, our attorneys are committed to helping our clients settle insurance claim disputes involving:
Child Injuries
Has your child suffered an injury at your house or someone else’s house you feel is covered by a valid homeowner’s insurance policy?
If so, you may be able to file a claim, especially if your child’s injury was the result of negligence. Perhaps your child was bitten by a neighbor’s dog while on their property or your child suffered a slip and fall accident from a wet spill when visiting a friend or family member. If the homeowner or property owner has a personal liability insurance policy, this could help cover your child’s medical expenses.
If your child’s injury cannot be fully covered by a homeowner’s insurance policy, you should consider contacting our insurance claims lawyers in Gresham as soon as possible. We can discuss your legal options so that you can recover the remaining damages you and your child need.
Truck Crashes
Have you been involved in a truck accident caused by another person’s negligent or careless actions?
According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, there were 579 truck accidents in Multnomah County resulting in 250 injuries and five fatalities in 2016. In that same year, the city of Gresham had 34 collisions involving a truck that led to 15 injuries.
Truck accident cases are usually resolved through an insurance settlement. Although when insurance companies offer a low-ball settlement, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit to obtain the compensation you deserve for your injury.
Commercial trucking insurance helps protect trucking companies, drivers and other personnel in the industry from many different types of events. It can be used to insure everything from dump trucks to 18-wheelers.
The commercial trucking industry must adhere to the minimum federal insurance requirements. For instance, most freight carriers must have at least $750,000 and up to $5,000,000 based on what is being transported. For private cargo carriers transporting oil and hazardous wastes, the minimum is $1,000,000. For trucks transporting non-hazardous cargo weighing less than 10,001 pounds, the minimum is $300,000. Trucks also being driven for non-business purposes are also covered under non-trucking liability coverage. This type of coverage can compensate medical bills and property damage.
Downhill Skiing Accidents
Have you been injured in a skiing accident that you believe is covered by ski travel insurance?
Downhill skiing and other types of skiing are very popular to do in the state of Oregon. However, this sporting activity is also a dangerous one with a great risk of injury.
There were 37 catastrophic skiing injuries in the U.S. during the 2017/2018 winter season as reported by the National Ski Areas Association. This is a 15 percent increase compared to the 2016/2017 season. The majority of these incidents were caused by collisions with other skiers or equipment.
Many skiers obtain ski travel insurance in the event they require a medical emergency on the slopes and need transportation to the nearest hospital, which would be covered in the policy.
Ski injuries can be quite costly without travel insurance, leading to mounting medical bills, especially if you need to be airlifted by a helicopter. However, not all ski travel insurance policies cover the same things. Be sure to examine the policy carefully to understand what types of skiing are covered, whether it is freestyle skiing, competitive skiing, alpine skiing or downhill skiing, among others. Overall, the total cost of your travel insurance policy will depend on your individual needs.
Call 503.342.0783 today to see how a lawyer might be able to help you.
How Can an Insurance Claims Lawyer in Gresham Help?
If your insurance company delays payment without reason, cannot provide a valid explanation for why your claim was denied, or attempts to settle your claim by paying a low amount, an insurance claims attorney in Gresham can help prove that your insurer could be acting in bad faith.
By hiring an attorney, you can be sure that your rights will be protected while you focus on your recovery. We know how to handle insurance companies and build a strong case on your behalf to obtain the compensation you deserve. We are also well-versed in insurance litigation. We can determine if the insurance company is violating the law due to unfair and/or deceptive practices.
Oregon law defines penalties for violations of the Unfair Claim Settlement Practices Act. This act prohibits insurance companies from doing the following:
- Misrepresenting facts or insurance policy provisions
- Settling claims for less than reasonably expected
- Refusing to pay damages without a claims investigation
- Failing to accept or deny claims within a reasonable time
- Delaying payments by requesting duplicate proof of loss forms
- Settling claims without notice or consent from the insured
Many times, insurance companies will ignore these laws, with the hope that the insured party does not know his or her rights under their own insurance policy. This is why you need an experienced Gresham insurance claims lawyer on your side to help you recover maximum compensation.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now.
Contact Gresham Insurance Claims Attorneys Today for a Free Consultation
Preparing, filing and disputing insurance claims can be a complex process. Insurance companies are more interested in profit than paying claims. In order to get all the benefits you are entitled to under your insurance policy, you should consider contacting Rizk Law’s Gresham insurance claims lawyers to represent you during this process.
A free consultation can help you understand your rights and determine the legal options available to you. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront costs involved until we help you obtain compensation for your case.
Call us now at 503.342.0783 or fill out our online form.