South Carolina Injury Law Journal - Anderson and Greenville Lawyer & Attorney Workers' Compensation Cases, Product Liability Lawsuits, and Accidents

It appears the behemoth insurance company, Allstate, does have some type of consumer conscious after all.  Through my repeated articles denouncing the insurance company for their unprofessional and unethical claims handling:

• Allstate Insurance Sucks
• Allstate Insurance's "Good Hands" are Wrapped Around Your Throat!
• Allstate Policy Holders and Victims Should Know They Are Not in Good Hands

They have decided to hire me on as a consultant to change their brand awareness. They have offered me a salary into seven figures and 10% of any noticeable increase I can bring through higher premiums, less payouts, and lower defense fees.  Given that Allstate brought in $518 million in net income for the most recent 4th quarter of this recession, business is good!

More importantly they have allowed me the freedom of closing all their outstanding claims for minor wrecks, major wrecks, and anything under $10,000.00 in medicals by extending an offer of 3-4x your medical bills, plus $5,000.00 extra for your patience as they have surely yanked you around in the past couple months.  (For example, if your medical bills are $5,000.00, I can offer you $15,000.00 to $20,000.00 + $5,000.00 inconvenience charge--you choose the value you prefer).

All you have to do to get this settlement is mention to your adjuster that Allstate's new Positive Brand Awareness CEO, Floyd S. "Trey" Mills III said it was okay. It's time to enjoy your freedom and move on with your lives. Let us rejoice with this new conscious of such a formerly evil company.

Best wishes with your settlements on this, the 1st of April, commonly referred to as "April Fool's Day".

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In legal circles, insurance circles, and amongst colleagues of both sides of the coin, plaintiffs and defendants,  there is an on going understanding of how awful Allstate Insurance claims adjusting and case evaluations are in comparison with reality and fairness. 

I tell everyone that comes in my office how bad Allstate Insurance company is when it comes to providing a fair or reasonable offer on their personal injury claim. Again, truth is an absolute defense to any potential libel or slander claims so I want to put forth the TRUTH about Allstate:

1. Insurance adjusters for other insurance companies have resolved their portion of a claim with me and said, "Good luck"; "I wouldn't want to deal with them", "I don't see how they haven't been shut down by the state", in reference to resolving the other portion of the claims with Allstate;
2. I have been told by an Allstate insurance adjuster that regardless of what my client's treating physicians said they were not paying the claim because she didn't think my client was hurt. (She may have had a college degree but no medical training or certification);
3. Allstate insurance representatives (in SC) have openly discussed with me how bad the company is run, how ridiculous the claims process is for them to get any authority, and how a machine (Colossus) tells what your claim is worth, not a person;
4. Allstate adjusters have told my clients (prior to my representation), that they can't possibly be hurt because of the collision they were in and need to settle the case because an attorney can't help them;
5. A year or two ago they use to have a system to try and move cases and it didnt matter what happen or what injuries the client received. It was based solely on medical bills. From $0-2,500 they would offer $500; $2,500-7,500 a $1,000 and so on but no more than $2,000 regardless of the amount;
6. I have had numerous cases where they offered to settle for less than or equal to the medical bills and then I file suit and go through the litigation motions only to settle for a reasonable value and absolutely no facts, medical bills, or circumstances arose that would merit such an increase other than the fact, I filed suit.  (one such instance was so ridiculous that my client had a $15,000 offer and absolutely nothing changed but litigation was initiated--we settled for nearly half a million); and
7. More than half a dozen defense attorneys I work with have made this specific statement when discussing Allstate cases, "Well Trey, you know this is Allstate........."  (No other insurance company is mentioned in that regard).

Why do I hate Allstate Insurance Company so much?

• I do not believe they conduct their insurance practice in good faith;
• Their commercials grate on every nerve I have when I know how poorly they treat their own insureds (what you are if you have Allstate Insurance), much less victims injured by their insureds; and
• Consumers (you if you buy anything) are not educated on the front line about what they are buying and then they are being taken advantage of by their own insurance companies.

My solution:

1. I have decided to fight Allstate regardless of the time, resources, and value on the claim;
2. I educate every person I see, regardless if they become a client, on insurance and how bad Allstate conducts claims;
3. I remain an active voice for those that have been deceived, manipulated, talked down to, and dejected by uninformed, uneducated, and ignorant Allstate representatives; and
4. I blog when my blood pressure gets sky high because an Allstate adjuster just offered me $1,200 over medical bills of $12,800 and did not dispute that their insured was at fault or the injuries my client received. When I asked the reasoning for the offer and he gave some BS answer I made the comment that I don't know why I even ask anymore and he said, and I quote verbatim, "Yeah, I don't know either. I came from another claims office and it just seems like a waste of time."

I am always open to hearing the other side of this issue or in lieu of no one having anything good to say about Allstate either, more war stories of how bad they are. 

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Not all life is pain and injury. Sometimes you get to take advantage of your hard work and dedication. Or as the Bible states in Psalm 128:2, " You will eat the fruit of your labor, blessings and prosperity will be yours."  As a member of the American Association of Justice (AAJ) I was invited to a conference in Maui, HI. This being my fifth year as a plaintiffs' lawyer I felt the time was good for a little vacation and working conference.

The lineup is always amazing for the AAJ Conference and the talented, experienced, and world renown lawyers that were on hand helped motivate this younger, yet driven attorney. Its always good to draw on the passion I have to fight against the evil insurance companies, ie (Allstate, Selective, Sentry, Progressive, State Farm, and many more) and to see that passion in practicing attorneys of 30 years or more is energizing. As an evil insurance hater in Anderson, South Carolina you can sometimes feel like an island but when you rekindle that hatred for wrong doers amongst other successful lawyers around the country you are reminded that you are on the right path.

If you ever get to Maui for a vacation to relax, rejuvenate, and/or reflect here are things I recommend from a nonworking perspective:

1. Old Lahaina Luau- A great look into Maui's history and to the Hawaiian way of life in general. Not as commercialized as other advertised luaus and the food was amazing. Plus if you like to drink the price includes all you can eat and drink. The location is right on the ocean and reservation are a plus.
2. Sail Triology- Both the book I bought and friends that went before us recommended this tour for snorkeling. On the day we went we actually had the founder on the boat, got to see the sun rise, saw a twin whale breach, heard whales underwater while snorkeling, had fantastic food, and smooth sailing. A must do excursion.
3. Road to Hana- this was made more delightful by not driving personally and not having to return back on the same day by car. It has been named the "Divorce Highway" by locals because of the toll the winding roads and one way bridges take on a couple.  Simply beautiful, historic, and breathtaking. So hard to describe but is a must do. We drove there and took a helicopter ride back touring the waterfalls and the volcano, Haleakala.
4. Old Lahaina Grill-not sure how we found this on the first night but it was great. Others bragged about Mama's Fish House but we felt it was overrated and overpriced. You can't beat the location of Mama's Fish House but I think you can beat the food. A runner up in the food area was the Waterfront Restaurant- simple, affordable, and good.

I have been blessed to travel to many places in my short life of 32 years and I encourage others to do the same because you never know what life has in store for you. As a 14 year leukemia survivor I dont wait on my retirement to visit the places I want to see. I see them as soon as possible and check them off the list I made shortly after cancer.

Visit Hawaii. Check.

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I started blogging back in November of 2008 therefore with the closing of the 2009 calendar year, this will be my first (1st) full year in review.

There is little doubt from my background, occupation, and particular writing style that I hate insurance companies. I have highlighted those articles I wrote throughout the 2009 year that provide the biggest return on investment for my readers. I hope that you have enjoyed reading my blog, regardless of your own personal beliefs and opinions, as there are always two sides to any issue.  

South Carolina Foreclosure Sale: My Personal Experience

Given the current economic climate and the many more foreclosures I feel will be coming on the market in the first quarter of 2010, this is a good read for those of you thinking houses are bought for $1.

What Can I Do About Property Damage to my Car After a Wreck?

Numbers speak for themselves and more than likely you will be involved in a wreck. If the wreck is bad enough to cause any property damage you do not necessarily need a lawyer.

South Carolina Property Arbitration for Depreciation, Loss of Use, & Actual Damages

This article goes into more depth than the one above when the insurance company jerks you around over something so easy to determine value such as property.

Dogs Bite, Owners Pay: South Carolina Dog Bite Law

There is no one bite rule in South Carolina. This is strict liability and if your dog bites someone else anticipate some insurance payout.

Insurance Companies Don't Care About You: They Care About Your Premiums

I say what others think and know. This is no different and you should understand the logistics.

Allstate Insurance's "Good Hands" are Wrapped Around Your Throat!

They are awful. The worst insurance company you could possibly use in my personal opinion. I can tell war stories against Allstate for days on cases I had just in 2009. Please stop letting such blatant insurance abuse happen by using the worst insurance company out there.

Insurance Claim Game: 10 Tips to Follow

When you are injured in an automobile wreck these tips may help you avoid having to hire an attorney on a smaller case. 

Tips for Young Lawyers on Being Trial Lawyers

After four full years of practicing and being thrown into a trial the first couple months as a lawyer, I guess I have learned some things. I am just excited to still call myself a young lawyer at 31.

Graduation Speech for Mid-Carolina High School 2009

I was blessed and honored to come back to my high school and give the commencement speech.

F___ You If You Have Never Had Cancer!

After my uncle was diagnosed with cancer and started his battle earlier in the year a flow of emotions and memories were brought back from my experience some 14 years ago. Sorry for the language but it was what I was feeling at the time.

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I started this blog with no idea what to expect or how I would have the time to write articles.  However, I went ahead with it by contacting LexBlog and getting the infrastructure in place.  My first article was "China Tries to Kill Pebbles" on November 2, 2008. It has been good times ever since. 

The traffic count and interest has grown exponentially and it allows me an opportunity to fight the barrage of poor media, misinformation, and misleading advertising that many insurance companies conduct.  It also levels the playing field for me to give an inside look at what really goes on in the plaintiff's battle against evil insurance companies. 

It should be apparent from a large percentage of my posts that:

• I hate Allstate and think they are unprofessional, unethical, and ignorant;
• I am cancer survivor and both celebrate and struggle with that;
• I work in upstate South Carolina   and focus first on statewide issues and then on national issues;
• I enjoy being a plaintiff's attorney because I enjoy working with normal, everyday people and not corporate clients that are buffoons;
• I love to fight, more in the courtroom than out of it in my older years; and
• Thanks to my life experiences (cancer, death of a parent, and internal struggles with those issues); I think I can achieve most anything with hard work, thought, and communication.

Thanks for stopping in for a quick read, interesting article, and/or for being a groupie of South Carolina Injury Law Journal.  It's only going to get better, more informative, and more insightful.

Take it away "Little River Band".........

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Dealing with Allstate on a routine basis for personal injury claims, I know how they frustrate me to no end.  However, I was interested to see the amount of Google entries for this title.

• Ironically, there has been a website formed for people to vent their frustrations against this company, appropriately named Allstate Insurance Company Sucks. This website provides past victims a place to vent their frustrations, do research, or find a "Cool Attorney."  I found it even more amusing that the site had garnered national attention and received accreditation by Forbes as the #1 Best Corporate Complaint Site.
• Outside of consumer angst, this insurance company has garnered another #1 ranking with the American Association of Justice as the Worst Insurance Company in 2008.
• Business Week wrote an article entitled, "In Tough Hands at Allstate", detailing the epic battle plaintiff's attorney,  David Berardinelli, has embarked upon.
• David Berardinelli wrote a book entitled, "From 'Good Hands', to Boxing Gloves", it tells the story of the key role played by management consultant McKinsey & Co. in re-engineering auto insurance claims operations at Allstate Corp. (ALL ) -- and it's a story Allstate doesn't want told.
• Allstate was banned from writing automobile insurance in Florida this year (2008).
• An article on CNN.com entitled, "Auto Insurers Play Hardball in Minor-Crash Claims", specifically cited Allstate and State Farm for incorporating a strategy of  "deny, delay, defend."
• At press time of this article, Allstate's newsroom, where the McKinsey Reports are located, was showing some type of "error" in trying to retrieve those documents.

Are you really in good hands? Or should you consult an attorney anytime you see a name followed by the word "insurance"?

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