Overview
Our Property lawyers focus solely on property insurance issues, including arson, and other types of fraud. They conduct investigation of potential fraudulent claims, represent insureds in litigation to recover payments as a result of insurance fraud, and offer legal counseling during claim investigation. Their services include:
- Legal counseling during claims investigation
- Taking statements under oath
- Issuing opinion letters
- Defending and/or prosecuting cases in which fraud is found
- Conducting an investigation of potential fradulent claims
- Representing insurers in litigation to recover payments and damages as a result of insurance fraud
- Maintaining important contacts with insurance company claims offices, Special Investigation Units (SIU), fire department and fire marshall offices, and local and state law enforcement agencies
- Maintaining active membership in various industry organizations, including the International Association of Special Investigation Units, the National Fire Prevention Association, the Pennsylvania Association of Arson Investigators and a number of state and local claims associations
- Pursuing civil claims under the RICO statute
Representative cases include:
Cohen v. State Auto Prop. & Cas. Co., 2001 U.S.Dist. Lexis 1178 (E.D.Pa. Feb. 8, 2001) (Plaintiff lacked standing to pursue a breach of contract claim since it was not in privity with Defendant).
Trial case, Heffner v. Goschenhoppen - Home Mutual Ins. Co., Bucks Co. 97-004255-22-1 (Defense verdict after trial on claim by policyholder's estate for insurance proceeds following murder-arson-suicide by policyholder).
Club Rio v. Underwriters, C.A. No. 00-1162 (E.D. PA. Sept. 7, 2001) (Insured not entitles to appraisal until coverage issues raised by insurer are resolved, despite language in policy reserving insurer's right to challenge coverage after an appraisal)