It happens with some frequency, the following scenario: there is a car wreck. Innocent party gets her vehicle in to her mechanic. Innocent party gets a rental car while her vehicle is being fixed. At-fault person carries insurance! Both people breath a sigh of relief, believing the insurance … [Read more...] about Can the insurance company refuse to pay for my rental car after an accident?
“Debt Collectors!” (Part III)
This is Part III (and final part) of Why I Practice Consumer Law. As discussed in Part I and Part II, my wife and I were dealing with massive medical debts from being denied insurance benefits. During the time consuming appeal process, we maintained contact with the health providers. The health … [Read more...] about “Debt Collectors!” (Part III)
Why I Practice Consumer Law (Part II)
In my last post, I talked about how the treatment we received from big insurance and big healthcare companies really had us stuck in the mud. Many other consumers have experienced similar problems with medical bills (for a refresher on our individual situation, see Part I). Consumers incurred … [Read more...] about Why I Practice Consumer Law (Part II)
Why I Practice Consumer Law (Part I)
Generally, life is an uphill battle. Some things we encounter make life’s journey seem like climbing a vertical cliff. We all have goals and we all face trials and tribulations that knock us down or lead us astray. For my wife and I, our health insurance company’s and eventual debt collectors’ … [Read more...] about Why I Practice Consumer Law (Part I)
But, What Do I Think?
Now we all know, in some detail, what the United States Supreme Court said about punitive damages in State Farm v. Campbell. So what? Is it important to you and me? Can anyone, with a straight face, seriously be upset that a jury verdict for punitive damages of $145 million was reduced to over $9 … [Read more...] about But, What Do I Think?
State Farm v. Campbell, Part 1
Since I’ve spent the last couple weeks (here and here) talking in generalities about punitive damages, I thought I’d talk specifically about State Farm v. Campbell today. Campbell started off with a tragic, yet common, car wreck. Campbell was driving his car in Utah and decided to pass 6 vehicles … [Read more...] about State Farm v. Campbell, Part 1
On Why Lawyers Always Answer, “It Depends”
I once griped to a co-worker that I look young. He told me not to worry, that I was "starting to show my age." And, in my thirties, I guess I am. Starting to develop some wrinkles and grey hairs, but...I still look young. I'm also female. Which is why, when someone I know actually pulls me aside to … [Read more...] about On Why Lawyers Always Answer, “It Depends”
Who Should Pay? Part 2
For the entire first part of this post, click here. To summarize: in a health insurance and medical provider vs. injured party situation, should the health insurance pay before the auto insurance does? Or, should the medical provider be forced to accept the discounted health … [Read more...] about Who Should Pay? Part 2