Brampton personal injury lawyers often have to deal with insurance companies who initially deny or dismiss compensation claims made by people injured in slip and fall accidents.

Most of us believe that our insurance policy will cover our expenses and lost income and also compensate us for our pain and suffering following a serious injury sustained in an accident caused by someone else’s fault or negligence. However, what we forget is that insurance companies can and sometimes do act in bad faith, or they may adopt delaying tactics, minimize the nature and extent of your injury, deny/reduce their client’s liability etc in order to protect their own business interests.

Common Tactics That You May Have To Face

Contacting you immediately or soon after the accident: This move catches people at a vulnerable point, when their judgment is clouded by anxiety, pain, confusion etc. Injured victims/their families haven’t had the time/opportunity to gauge the full extent of their injuries or contact a personal injury lawyer. Insurance adjusters may offer a “quick and hassle-free” settlement which could turn out to be woefully inadequate later.

Requesting recorded statement/signed documents: Injured victims could make inadvertent admissions or say things without the full understanding of their import. Signing documents may give permissions to access confidential records, or provide waivers and releases of your claim.

Partial responsibility: At-fault party insurers may try to intimidate the injured person citing “partial responsibility” for the accident and offer the “best deal under the circumstances.”

Devalue/Criticize your medical treatment: Insurers may advise you that your medical treatment is unnecessary/over-done etc and that it may not get coverage.

Misinformation: Claims-adjusters may inform you that you’re entitled to only certain benefits, or misrepresent the amount of coverage available to you.

Why Claims May Be Denied

Apart from the tactics used to stall or delay your claim, insurance companies may also outright deny your claim. A Brampton personal injury lawyer with specific experience and expertise in handling the complex legal, medical and insurance issues involved can certainly provide the right guidance.

Apart from these problems, clients also have a responsibility to understand their coverage and ensure that their policies are kept valid and updated.

Some common reasons why claims are denied:

Factual or typographical errors: If you’ve moved, changed your bank, purchased a new vehicle, added a new family-member etc, and not added this information in your policy, it could work against you. It’s important to update your current address and status changes.

Padding: Ensure that your claim is factual, genuine and not exaggerated in any way. Compensation is meant to restore you to your original state prior to the accident, but not put you in a position where you profit from it.

Stay Safe: Follow the rules, if you know a property is unsafe to walk in, avoid it. Wear appropriate footwear and clothes, avoid walking outside if you’re unwell or on medication. Use your spectacles if needed.

As a result of such tactics and/or inadvertent errors, many injured persons could end up not getting the settlement they rightly deserve. Our experienced Brampton slip and fall injury lawyers can provide the right advice, assistance and advocacy.