NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Parker Waichman Alonso Mark LLP (www.yourlawyer.com) announced that it is actively evaluating hundreds of cases involving Hurricane Katrina insurance claims that have been denied by State Farm. State Farm is one of the largest insurance companies in the world. The company insures 1 out of every 5 homes in the United States, and over 30% of the homes in Mississippi. Under state and federal laws, State Farm and other insurance companies are required to resolve claims with their insureds in good faith and with fair dealing. However, State Farm was recently ordered to pay a Mississippi family $232,292, plus $2.5 million in punitive damages, after a federal judge found that the company unfairly denied the family's Katrina-related property damage claim.
"Unfortunately, this case is not an isolated incident. Thousands of insurance policyholders are unable to put their lives back together because of widespread improper denials of insurance claims," said Andy Alonso, a partner at Parker Waichman Alonso Mark who is overseeing the firm's Katrina-related litigation. Parker Waichman Alonso Mark LLP is assisting policyholders whose property insurance claims have been denied, or who have not yet filed a claim but who plan to in the future. The firm is providing legal representation to these policyholders in order to quickly obtain the compensation their insurance coverage provides.
If your Katrina-related insurance claim was denied by State Farm or any other insurance carrier, or if you plan to file a claim, you can request a free case evaluation by visiting http://www.katrinaclaimdenial.com or http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/Katrina_Insurance_Claims . Case evaluations are also available by calling Parker Waichman Alonso Mark LLP at 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).
Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and a majority of other states have laws governing how insurance companies must deal with claimants. In fact, Louisiana makes it mandatory for insurers to make a written offer to resolve a property damage claim within 30 days after receipt of a "satisfactory proof of loss" for the claim. If the insurance company fails to do this, the company may be liable for penalties of up to 25% on the amount due. Other states have similar laws punishing insurance companies that unfairly deny or delay payment on valid claims.
"State Farm sells itself by saying they are 'like a good neighbor,' but when disaster struck, the company turned its back on hundreds of thousands of its customers," said Jerrold Parker, founding partner of Parker Waichman Alonso Mark LLP. "We are committed to fighting for policyholders who simply want to move on with their lives and get the compensation that their policies are supposed to provide. We will see that State Farm and other insurance companies meet their obligations and treat claimants more fairly."
About Parker Waichman Alonso Mark LLP
Parker Waichman Alonso Mark LLP is a leading consumer fraud, products liability and personal injury law firm that represents plaintiffs nationwide. Parker Waichman Alonso Mark LLP has assisted thousands of clients in receiving fair compensation for denied insurance claims, securities fraud, and injuries resulting from defective medical devices and medications. In addition to representing victims of bad faith insurance denials, Parker Waichman Alonso Mark LLP represents thousands of individuals injured by Guidant Defibrillators, Drug Coated Coronary Stents, Vioxx, Fosamax, Ketek, ReNu with MoistureLoc, Ortho Evra and many other defective drugs and medical products. For more information on Parker Waichman Alonso Mark LLP, please visit: www.yourlawyer.com or call (800) LAW-INFO.