Texas insurance attorneys will be encouraged to read a recent report from Texas Watch. Texas Watch is a consumer advocate group that deals with insurance issues.
A February 14, 2013, press release tells us the following:
SPECIAL INTEREST PAC JUST CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH Access to the civil justice system is a fundamental right. It is embedded in our constitution because no one is above the law and everyone should be held to account for their actions.
But, the folks over at the self-styled Texans for Lawsuit Reform’s PAC of special interests and lobbyists just can’t seem to understand that.
In an effort to reinforce their failing agenda and scare candidates away from supporting meaningful accountability reforms that help Texas families and small businesses, TLR has released the “results” of a new push-poll that conveniently ignores the impact of their agenda on everyday Texans. Instead they attack everyday Texans and their lawyers … again.
Why?
Because they have no other option. The fact is that the vast majority of Texans believe they should have access to our courts when they are harmed. And, they want to have be able to hire an attorney to represent their interests. Particularly when an insurance company treats them unfairly.
We asked voters about this last year.
Only 15% of voters favor more restrictions on the ability of claimants to access the courts when an insurance company unfairly denies, delays, or underpays a claim.
Roughly half of all voters want lawmakers to make it easier to hire a lawyer and go to court when an insurance company refuses to pay in full and on time. That includes 55% of self-identified TEA Party members.
And, 7 in 10 voters will reward legislators who believe it should be easier (or at least not harder) for a policyholder who believes their insurance claim has been handled unfairly to hire an attorney to represent their interests. 51% hold this position “strongly.”
So, the message from voters is clear. Politicians should be cautious when they parrot the special interest’s message. There could just be consequences for that.
Despite the special interests efforts to make the issue of accountability about lawyers, it just isn’t. It is about whether Texans have a right to expect fair treatment under the law.
If you find yourself in a situation where an insurance company is not treating you right and you are not in a financial condition to wage war with them, contact an experienced Insurance Law Attorney. Not all, but some of them require little or no money up front if they believe your case has merit. People who contact the Texas Department of Insurance will find a form to file a complaint but it would be a very rare event for much to happen as a result of filing the complaint. This is largely because there are too few people who handle the large number of complaints that are filed.