If you think the workers’ comp insurance company is acting in bad faith, here are six signs to look for.
When you’re injured on the job, you expect the workers’ comp insurance company to act in good faith and help you get the benefits you deserve. Unfortunately, not all insurance companies do this. Some of them may try to delay or deny your claim or even try to cheat you out of the benefits you’re owed. If you think the workers’ comp insurance company is acting in bad faith, here are six signs to look for.
1. Unreasonable Denial of Your Claim
One of the clearest signs that an insurance company is acting in bad faith is if it denies your claim without a reasonable explanation. If the company has any legitimate reason to deny your claim, it should explain why in a clear and concise manner.
If the insurance company keeps giving you vague or incomplete answers or tries to blame you for the accident, it may be acting in bad faith.
2. Lack of Communication
Another sign that your insurance company may be acting in bad faith is a lack of communication. If the company is not returning your phone calls or responding to your emails, it may be trying to avoid dealing with your claim.
This can be a frustrating experience, especially if you’re trying to get information about the status of your claim or find out when you can expect to receive benefits.
3. Taking Too Long to Investigate Your Claim
The insurance company should begin investigating your claim as soon as it is received. If the company takes more than a few weeks to look into your case, it may be trying to find ways to deny or delay your claim.
In some cases, the insurance company will ask for additional information before investigating your claim. This can be a delaying tactic, especially if the company knows you won’t have the time or resources to respond.
4. Unreasonable Documentation Requests
If the insurance company asks for excessive or unnecessary documentation, it may be trying to stall your claim. The company should only request information that’s relevant to your case and necessary to determine your eligibility for benefits.
If the insurance company keeps asking for more and more documents, it may be hoping you will get frustrated and give up on your claim.
5. Delaying Payment On a Valid Claim
If your claim is valid and there is no reason for the insurance company to delay payment, it may be trying to stall in hopes you will give up and go away.
6. Threats
One of the most despicable tactics insurance companies use is to threaten claimants with legal action. These threats may be made if you try to negotiate a fair settlement or hire an attorney to assist with your claim.
These threats are usually empty and are meant to intimidate claimants into accepting lowball offers. If the insurance company has made such a threat, it is likely acting in bad faith.
St. Louis Workers Compensation Attorney
If the insurance company behaves in any of these ways, it’s important to speak about it with your St. Louis workers’ comp attorney. An experienced attorney can help you fight for your benefits and hold the insurer accountable for their bad faith actions.