3 Steps to Take if a Wrongful Death Claim is Denied
After suffering a loss as a result of someone else’s negligence, many people file a wrongful death claim to recover fair compensation for funeral costs and other losses they’ve suffered as a result of their loved one’s death. If the claim is approved, people are able to recover compensation that they can use to address the financial hardships caused by the negligent party’s actions. However, if the claim is denied, it leaves people in a stressful and vulnerable situation.
Insurance companies do their best to limit their payouts, even if it means denying claims for the slightest error or infraction they believe the claimant has committed. The wrongful death attorneys at Mintz Law Firm have years of experience dealing with insurance companies and are all too familiar with their bad-faith tactics they use to deny claims and protect their profits. We will fight for you to help make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
3 Steps to Take If Your Wrongful Death Claim was Denied
Losing a loved one is one of the most challenging and emotional situations a person can face in their lives. During this time, you should be able to focus on mourning and rebuilding your life without someone you weren’t ready to live without. However, this can be challenging if you’re trying to recover fair compensation from a wrongful death claim and an insurance company denies it. A denied claim doesn’t need to be the end of trying to recover fair compensation. You can attempt to appeal the claim by taking the following steps.
1. Understand the Policy
When you receive a denial for your wrongful death claim, the understandable reaction is to feel upset. After all, you suffered an immense loss, and insurance companies are meant to help deal with that loss. Unfortunately, an insurance adjuster’s goal isn’t to help you cope with this loss. It’s to protect their employer’s profits. Ultimately, whether you receive compensation for your loss depends on your ability to examine and understand every detail of your insurance policy.
Many times, these policies have fine print with certain conditions known as “exclusions,” which are injuries that are not covered by the insurance policy, and even a minor error in the description of the claim can result in a denial. This is why it’s important to contact an attorney before filing a claim. They help make sure that the small details are in accordance with the insurance policy to help prevent your claim from being denied.
2. Speak With Your Insurer
Once you’ve reviewed the policy for any exclusions pertaining to your claim, then make a side-by-side comparison of the policy with a denial letter. If the denial letter they sent contradicts the terms of your policy or contains misleading or inaccurate information, you need to send a dispute letter to the insurance company. This letter notifies them that you believe the denial to be unfair and that they should reconsider. Once they receive the letter, they may request arbitration. However, it’s important to never agree to this without first speaking with an attorney who can help protect your right to compensation.
3. Pursue a Lawsuit If Necessary
If the insurance company refuses to answer or offers an unsatisfactory answer to your dispute letter, then it may be time to file a lawsuit. While you should have a Colorado wrongful death lawyer at your side throughout this entire process, it’s especially important if you need to file a lawsuit against an insurance company. They will have their own representation, and you need to level the playing field to ensure you can secure a favorable resolution.
Work With Our Skilled Wrongful Death Attorneys Today
Having your claim denied is an incredibly frustrating situation, and it can be easy to be discouraged. The wrongful death lawyers at Mintz Law Firm have handled numerous wrongful death claims and we have helped our clients successfully recover the compensation they are owed and deserve. Mintz Law Firm is committed to going above and beyond for our clients, including going to trial if it means securing the best possible results for our clients.
Mintz Law Firm takes on the legal burden of recovering fair compensation on behalf of our clients so they can focus on what matters most. Schedule a consultation today at (303) 462-2999 or complete our online contact form for more information on how we can help you.