Baton Rouge Insurance Defense Lawyer

Insurance Defense Attorney in Baton Rouge, LA

When faced with the challenges of the legal system, it is in your company’s best interest to seek representation from an experienced Baton Rouge  insurance defense lawyer. An experienced lawyer can provide insight into your situation and will understand how to develop a legal strategy that fully meets your objectives.

The legal team at Dunlap Fiore, LLC, has the qualities you are seeking. Our Baton Rouge law firm provides sound legal advice for small-sized to large national insurance companies. From general legal counsel services to litigation representation — you can turn to our lawyers for straightforward and honest answers.

Our legal team also handles business litigation, so all of your business legal needs can be addressed and resolved.

Assertive Representation In Defense Matters

Our Baton Rouge insurance attorneys have represented clients including the Louisiana Office of Risk Management in casualty and property defense, as well as Western World Insurance Company in insurance defense matters. It is our top priority to meet your business objectives, and we will aggressively advocate on your behalf.

If an appropriate resolution cannot be reached through negotiations, we will assert your rights in the courtroom. John Dunlap has more than 20 years of jury trial experience from Orleans Parish to Caddo Parish and in all Louisiana U.S. District Courts.

Looking at Louisiana’s High Insurance Claim Rate

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Louisiana has a higher rate of personal injury claims and insured losses than nearby states. Despite Louisiana accounting for only 1.4 percent of the country’s population, it generates approximately 3.65 percent of the nation’s bodily injury claims. The state’s drivers file more than twice as many physical injury claims per capita as the national average.

With the various forms of insurance claims that can be filed in Louisiana, including personal injury and employment law issues, it’s critical that you effectively defend your insurance company with the help of capable legal representation.

Personalized Risk Management Solutions That Fully Meet Your Needs

Minimizing risk and avoiding legal challenges in the future are likely some of your business goals. Prevalent is insurance fraud, which can pose significant threats to your business if not properly managed. We help our Baton Rouge clients by utilizing our knowledge and taking all preventative measures to protect their businesses.

Jennifer Fiore is vastly experienced in the area of employer liability defense and can successfully provide guidance that is in your company’s best interest. Our goal is to fulfill your objectives, and we work very hard to meet your needs.

When to Hire an Insurance Defense Lawyer in Louisiana

There are many reasons to hire an insurance defense lawyer in Louisiana. As your legal counsel, an insurance defense attorney can provide support during the examination under oath (EUO) process, help coordinate relevant professionals, preserve necessary evidence, and, when relevant, correspond with law enforcement. At Dunlap Fiore, LLC, we have successfully represented insurance companies in cases involving:

• Personal injury defense. This includes first and third-party insurance claims, whether it be related to homeowner’s insurance, premises liability, motor vehicle accidents, or other common types of personal injury.
• Labor and employment law defense
• Regulatory Liability defense
• Allegations of violations of federal civil rights/police brutality
• Child abuse allegations
• Extracontractual claims. These claims involve a party seeking damages that exceed or are not covered by a policy’s limits, often arising due to unfair claims handling, bad faith claims, or negligence.
• Bad faith claims. Claiming that an insurer acted in bad faith, including allegations of unreasonable delays, unfair settlement offers, and poorly conducted investigations.
• Fraud. Common fraudulent claims include patterns of staged accidents, inflated medical expenses, and questionable property loss.

Louisiana insurance defense laws can be complicated to manage by yourself, so it’s helpful to be able to rely on a legal professional. While a lawyer can undoubtedly aid in the early stages of a defense case by improving defensibility at mediation or deposition and, overall, reducing further issues, a lawyer can also minimize risks going forward. An attorney may accomplish this by promoting prompt evaluation, clear communication, and disciplined documentation.

Which Courthouse Would Handle My Insurance Defense Case?

Generally, insurance claims and defense issues go through civil court, not criminal court, in Louisiana. Depending on the specific circumstances of an insurance defense case in Baton Rouge, the courthouse that may process the filing and any necessary proceedings can vary. For example, most insurance defense cases would be handled by the 19th Judicial District Court. This state court for East Baton Rouge Parish is located at 300 North Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70801.

However, the case may instead go to federal court if it involves federal law, parties in different states, or an amount of money over a certain threshold. For these cases in the Baton Rouge area, the applicable legal venue would be the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana. The Russell B. Long Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse is located at 777 Florida Street, Suite 139, Baton Rouge, LA 70801.

To confirm which courthouse may handle your case, it’s recommended that you consult your insurance defense attorney. They can keep you advised of all the deadlines and court dates. The vast majority of cases are resolved outside of court through private proceedings, but in the event court intervention is necessary, it’s beneficial to know which venue can process your case.

FAQs

Who Does an Insurance Defense Attorney Represent?

In the state of Louisiana, an insurance defense attorney typically represents both the insured party and the insurance provider. The insured party is the policyholder against whom the claim was filed, while the insurance carrier is the one who funds the defense.

In this tripartite relationship, the attorney’s primary ethical duty is to the insured. Of course, it’s also possible for an insurance defense lawyer to represent the insurance carrier in instances where the insured is taking legal action against their provider.

What Kinds of Cases Fall Under Insurance Claim Defense?

There is a wide variety of cases that can fall under insurance claim defense law in the state of Louisiana. Some examples include various types of personal injury claims, such as slip-and-falls or motor vehicle accidents, labor or employment law claims, child abuse allegations, and regulatory liability matters.

Insurance defense cases frequently involve allegations of bad faith or extracontractual claims. Allegations of police brutality or the violation of federal civil rights are another type of insurance claim you may see.

How Are Settlements Typically Handled in Insurance Defense?

When handling insurance defense matters, the insurer typically controls settlement decisions by referring to what’s stated within the policy’s limits. This can vary depending on jurisdiction, policy language, and the overall circumstances of the case.

It’s critical to work towards reaching a fair settlement promptly because failure to reasonably settle within the policy’s limits may expose the insurance provider to claims of bad faith conduct. Consult your legal counsel about how a settlement may be addressed in your specific case.

How Long Do Insurance Defense Cases Usually Take in LA?

In the state of Louisiana, it is difficult to estimate how long an insurance defense case may take to fully resolve without reviewing the details of the situation. Generally, these types of cases may take anywhere from several months to a year or longer, depending on the circumstances. Factors that can influence the time needed to complete a case include how complex the matter is, the court backlog, disputes during the discovery phase, and whether the case goes to trial.

How Does an Insurance Defense Lawyer Help My Case?

There are numerous ways that an insurance defense lawyer can help your case. As your legal counsel and representation, your attorney is there to protect your interests by thoroughly investigating the claim and developing a strong, strategic defense approach that abides by the law while being tailored to the circumstances.

This includes gathering and evaluating evidence, taking depositions, filing and arguing motions, and negotiating settlements. Your attorney works to minimize financial exposure until the claim is resolved effectively.

Obtain Exceptional Legal Support from an Insurance Defense Lawyer

It’s strongly advised that you consult a Baton Rouge insurance defense attorney sooner rather than later to improve your chances of reaching a favorable outcome in your case. For honest and straightforward legal solutions, please contact our firm online or by calling 225-282-0660 or 888-415-9150 to schedule a consultation with our attorneys.