Archive for April, 2011
Doyle Raizner Files Workers’ Compensation Bad Faith Suit Against ACE, Sedgwick
Doyle Raizner filed a workers’ compensation bad faith lawsuit on April 29, 2011, against Indemnity Insurance Company of North America (“ACE”)–an ACE Group insurer–Sedgwick Claims Managment (the third party claims administator), and their adjuster, on behalf of an employee who was injured on the job in April 2010. Despite documentation of his injury from his employer, ACE denied the employee’s claim for the medical and income benefits he was entitled to under Texas law. ACE only initiated benefits after being ordered to do so by the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation.
Doyle Raizner is proud to assist this injured employee in seeking justice for the actions of ACE, Sedgwick, and their adjuster.
Jeff Raizner Speaks In Front of TAPIA
Jeff Raizner will address the Texas Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (TAPIA) at its meeting on April 20,2011. Jeff, who is an attorney member of TAPIA, will join a panel discussion to provide an update on Texas legislation affecting Public Adjusters and discuss practical and ethical practices for Public Adjusters.
Click here for more information on our work with public adjusters, including TAPIA members.
TDI Releases March 2011 Workers’ Compensation Violations
The Texas Department of Insurance on April 14, 2011, released final disciplinary decisions for violations of Division of Workers’ Compensation rules. Among these fines were the following insurer violations:
-Ace Insurance [$48,000]: Failed to comply with order or decision of Commissioner or TDI-DWC; Failed to timely pay income benefits to injured employee; Failed to pay for preauthorized medical services; Failed to timely act on request for reconsideration of a medical bill.
- American Home Assurance (AIG/Chartis) [$11,000]: Failed to pay for preauthorized medical services; Failed to timely respond to an injured employee’s request for reimbursement of travel expenses.
- Arch Insurance [$4,500]: Failed to timely pay income benefits to injured employee; Failed to timely pay medical bill; Failed to timely act on request for reconsideration of a medical bill.
- Dallas National Insurance [$9,000]: Failed to pay for preauthorized medical services; Failed to timely pay income benefits to injured employee.
- Hartford [$5,000]: Failed to reasonably and prudently process claims ; Failed to provide written notification of claims experience; Failed to provide written notification of loss analysis; Failed to provide mandatory on-site visit to policyholders.
- Hartford [$4,500]: Failed to timely pay income benefits to injured employee; Failed to provide written notification of claims experience.
- TASB Risk Management Fund [$5,000]: Failed to timely pay income benefits to injured employee.
- Transportation Insurance [$10,000]: Retrospectively reviewed medical necessity of preauthorized medical service or treatment; Failed to pay for preauthorized medical services.
These are fines paid to the state for violations of DWC rules and the Texas Insurance Code. Doyle Raizner is committed to helping individuals who have been harmed by such violations when they amount to bad faith activity by an insurance carrier. Click here for more information about the wrongful handling of workers compensation cases.
The complete list of fines is available here.
Mike Doyle speaks for Harris County Democratic Lawyers Association
Mike Doyle presented “Cost Effective Ways to Present Your Case” to the Harris County Democratic Lawyers Association for their April 7, 2011, CLE Luncheon. Mike shared ways to use time and money effectively, many times with software and other technological resources already available to busy practitioners.
Doyle Raizner Sponsors 2011 Strake Jesuit Scramble
Doyle Raizner LLP will serve as a shirt sponsor for the 2011 Strake Jesuit Scramble–a golf tournament to benefit Strake Jesuit College Preparatory School. The Scramble will be held on Monday, June 13, 2011, at the Sweetwater County Club in Sugar Land.
Registration is available on Strake Jesuit’s website for sponsorship or to participate in the event.
Doyle Raizner Property Damage App Now Available on iTunes
Doyle Raizner has lauched its second iPhone app, a Property Damage Law Center that provides tools and information in the that will be useful in the event of a property claim due to accidents, fires, natural disasters, and other losses that create a need for homes and businesses to file property insurance claims.
The app is available now for free at the Apple iTunes Store.
The Property Damage Law Center App features include:
- Property loss report form to capture details of your claim
- Tips and information to help you in dealing with your insurance company before and after a claim
- Photo and audio capture to submit with the form
- Access to Doyle Raizner video and social media resources
- Ability to easily contact our attorneys from your iPhone
