After being hurt in a major car accident, a Portsmouth woman tried handling her insurance claim on her own, like many people do. While she was still recovering and going to treatment, she got a call from her insurance company. They sent her a $1,000 check that she believed was to help with her property damage, so she accepted it. She had no idea the insurance company considered cashing that check to mean she settled her entire claim forever.
Thankfully she contacted us to help her with her personal injury claim. Because our consultations are always free, she had nothing to lose by asking us questions and getting us involved to advocate for her. We immediately took over communication with the insurance company so she could focus on healing while we did the legal work.
When the insurance company claimed the case was over, Partner Bill O’Mara refused to back down. He argued there was no enforceable settlement because there had never been a true understanding of what that $1,000 check would resolve. With medical treatment for significant injuries, the bills were adding up. The reality was that $1,000 was not anywhere near what she needed to recover considering the severity of her injuries. Our team gathered her medical records, documented the full extent of her damages, and fought for the compensation she deserved.
Ultimately, we recovered the full $60,000 in available insurance for our client, which is sixty times more than the amount the insurance company initially offered. This case holds an important reminder: before accepting any money or speaking to an insurance company, give us a call. The conversation is free, and understanding your rights before you make a decision can make all the difference.