Has an insurance company wrongfully denied your claim for compensation after an accident in St. Petersburg, FL? You could be entitled to significant compensation, including the amount of your original claim and even punitive damages. However, getting the insurance company to step up and take accountability without the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer may be challenging.
The team at Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group has 50 years of combined experience advocating for injury victims’ rights. We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for these victims, and we are ready to help you, too.
Contact us today or call (772) 758-1966 to schedule a free consultation with a St. Petersburg bad faith insurance lawyer.
How Graves Thomas Rotunda Can Help With a Bad Faith Insurance Claim in St. Petersburg
Let the experienced St. Petersburg personal injury lawyers at Graves Thomas Rotunda help you protect your rights by:
- Investigating the accident that led to your original claim
- Reviewing all the documents that were part of your claim
- Gathering evidence to help prove the conduct of the insurance company or adjuster
- Demanding full and fair compensation for all your damages
- Negotiating a settlement that gets you all the compensation you deserve
- Filing a lawsuit and taking the insurance company to court when negotiations stall
If you believe an insurance company has acted in bad faith, do not hesitate to get help. Call Graves Thomas Rotunda today to speak to a St. Petersburg bad faith insurance lawyer who will answer your questions and put together a winning strategy for you. We offer a free consultation.
What Is Bad Faith?
When you buy insurance, a contract is created between you and the insurance company. You agree to pay regular premiums for your coverage. In exchange, the insurance company agrees to compensate you for any losses that are covered under the terms of your policy. As part of that contract, the insurance company has a duty to deal in good faith. This means that they must honestly and transparently investigate and resolve all your claims. Failure to do so could mean that they are acting in bad faith.
What Are Some Examples of Bad Faith?
Florida law specifically lists some types of conduct that allow an insured to bring a bad faith claim, such as when the insurance company fails to promptly settle a claim after its obligation has become apparent.
Some other examples of conduct that could be considered bad faith include:
- Changing the terms of a policy after a claim has been filed
- Misrepresenting the terms of your coverage
- Intentionally delaying processing a valid claim
- Failing to communicate with you about your claim in a timely manner
- Refusal to pay your claim without any investigation
If you have experienced any of these issues, you may be able to bring a bad faith claim.
What Damages Can I Recover in a Bad Faith Claim?
Victims of bad faith practices may be entitled to recover both compensatory and punitive damages. Compensatory damages include economic and non-economic damages. They may include the value of the original claim plus any additional damages caused by the failure to pay.
Economic damages compensate victims for their financial losses, such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Future lost earning capacity
Non-economic damages compensate the victim for pain and suffering. They are more subjective and more challenging to prove. Finally, punitive damages are intended to punish the insurance company for its conduct. These damages are not automatically granted, but they are reserved for cases involving only the most egregious behavior.
How Long Do I Have to File a Bad Faith Claim in Florida?
You should also know that you have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit for bad faith practices. In most cases, you have five years from the date of your original loss. Notice that the clock starts running on the date of your loss and not the day the bad faith conduct occurred. Since these rules are somewhat complicated, you should always seek help from an experienced lawyer as soon after your accident as possible.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our St. Petersburg Bad Faith Insurance Lawyers
If you have been the victim of bad faith insurance practices, the experienced team at Graves Thomas Rotunda is here for you. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve and hold the insurance company accountable for its conduct. Give us a call today to schedule a free consultation with a St. Petersburg bad faith insurance lawyer. We’re ready to put our experience to work for you.
