Insurance Attorney Overview

Lawyer Representation for Insurance Companies and Insured Parties

When someone suffers an injury because of someone else's negligence, the injured party may seek compensation for their damages through a personal injury lawsuit. In many cases, the negligent party's insurance company will be involved in the lawsuit, requiring the assistance of an insurance defense lawyer. Insurance coverage may also become an issue in cases involving property damage, malpractice claims, business interruption, and a variety of other situations.

If you are involved in an insurance claim, a skilled civil litigation attorney can help you meet your legal requirements and work with you to determine your options for reaching the ideal outcome to your case. An experienced lawyer can help reach a fair settlement that provides just compensation to the injured parties while protecting the rights and interests of both insurers and policyholders.

Representation for Policyholders and Insurance Companies

Insurance defense cases can involve a wide variety of insurance policies, including auto insurance in car accident cases, homeowners insurance in premises liability cases, and professional malpractice insurance in medical malpractice cases. Typically, an insurance defense attorney will represent a policyholder (known as the "insured") who has been accused of causing damages to an injured party.

There are numerous other types of insurance policies that may become involved in insurance disputes and litigation. These may include:

• Homeowners insurance addressing damage to a property and personal belongings due to fires, floods, or other natural disasters
• Renters insurance or condo insurance, which provides coverage similar to homeowners insurance, addressing issues such as personal property, loss of use due to unforeseen events, medical payments for people injured on the property, or personal liability coverage
• Auto insurance addressing injuries and property damage in motor vehicle accidents, with policies that may include personal injury protection, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, or coverage for commercial ride-sharing or car-sharing
• Workers' compensation insurance, which covers employees in the event of work-related accidents or injuries and addresses the costs of medical treatment and the loss of income due to temporary or permanent disabilities
• Business insurance, which may include general liability insurance, professional liability insurance, commercial property insurance, data breach insurance, or business interruption insurance
• Health insurance, which is meant to pay for medical treatment needed by policyholders

When an insured defendant is involved in a lawsuit, a lawyer hired by the insurance company will typically provide representation. In most cases, an attorney will work to reach a settlement rather than resolving a case through litigation, which can take a great deal of time and result in large legal fees. Settlements may be reached through negotiation with the plaintiff and their attorney, or through methods of alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation or arbitration.

Attorneys may also provide representation in disputes over insurance coverage. These disputes may occur if a policyholder files an insurance claim for something that is not covered by their policy, if a policyholder exceeds the limits of their coverage, or if there is a disagreement about what is covered under the terms of a policy. Insurance companies will typically have attorneys on staff to assist with these cases, and policyholders or others who are covered by insurance policies may hire attorneys to represent them as they work to resolve disputes.

A lawyer may also defend an insurer against insurance fraud. In these cases, a person may be accused of exaggerating their injuries, purposely injuring themselves in order to collect damages, or attempting to collect payments for an injury that did not actually occur. A person who has been accused of insurance fraud will also need legal representation to defend against these claims and ensure that they receive the proper insurance coverage.

During a personal injury lawsuit or a dispute over insurance coverage, it is important to be represented by a skilled lawyer who understands how state laws apply to a situation and how to make sure the terms of an insurance policy are followed correctly. An experienced attorney can work to reach an effective settlement that protects the rights and interests of all parties involved.