Fighting Delayed Insurance Claims in Louisiana
Delaying the payment of your insurance claim is more than just a mere annoyance—it is often a violation of the law.
Your insurance carrier has a legal duty to process and pay all valid claims in a timely manner. The consequences of delaying your valid claims often lead to the inability to repair your property, business interruptions, and financial stress. Insurance laws prescribe set timelines for payment, and an insurance carrier who runs afoul of the law could be found to be acting in bad faith.
Common Delay Tactics Used by Insurers
Insurers use various tactics to shift the blame for the delay onto you. Their goal is often to hold onto your money longer to earn interest or avoid reporting the payout.
Common tactics we see include:
- Asking for unnecessary or repetitive documentation before processing a claim.
- Failing to provide explanations for delays, hoping you will not question the late payment.
- Stating they are “still investigating” the claim when there is no reasonable basis for doing so.
- Assigning multiple different adjusters to “restart” the process repeatedly.
Insurance companies count on you to be so relieved when you finally receive payment that you won’t exercise your rights to claim damages for the delay. Don’t let them get away with it.
Recovering "Bad Faith" Damages
If the insurance company is delaying payment, they must have a “good faith” reasonable basis for doing so. If the company is found to have unreasonably delayed payment, you may be entitled to Bad Faith damages under Louisiana law.
The Berniard Law Firm has filed hundreds of lawsuits against insurance companies, particularly following major events like Hurricane Katrina. We have recovered millions of dollars from insurance companies after they wrongfully delayed the payment of valid claims.
Note: Not all lawsuits go to court. Many settle for substantial sums once the insurance company realizes we are holding them accountable for their egregious actions.
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Speak With a Delayed Insurance Claim Attorney Today
The delay of your claim has severe implications, and you need an experienced attorney to guide you through the process.
Call us at (504) 521-6000 to speak with a Berniard Law Firm Attorney about your case.
You can also complete our online contact form, and an attorney will contact you within 4 hours.
- Free Initial Consultations: It costs you nothing to talk to us.
- Contingency Fee Basis: You pay no costs unless we secure a settlement or court award for you.
Co-Counsel and Expert Consultation Services
The Berniard Law Firm is equipped to help individuals and businesses in any capacity. We have served as lead counsel, co-counsel, and provided expert consultation services for:
- Corporate counsel and risk managers
- Public insurance adjusters
- Contractors and corporations
Whether you are in the claims adjustment phase, investigation, or active litigation, we can help resolve coverage disputes. We look forward to working with you to ensure you get the coverage you paid for.