J. Stephen Ladas is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts and New England School of Law, where he obtained his Juris Doctor degree. He is a co-founder with his sister, Elizabeth, of Ladas Law Firm, P.C., in Hanover, Massachusetts. He is a member of the Massachusetts and Federal Bars. With more than 22 years of litigation experience, Mr. Ladas has litigated numerous claims before the Trial Courts of Massachusetts as well as the various Administrative Agencies in Massachusetts. Prior to founding Ladas Law Firm, P.C., Mr. Ladas worked many years as defense counsel in the insurance industry he also was employed in numerous claims departments prior to attending law school.


Mr. Ladas is a member of the Plymouth District Bar Association; Plymouth County Bar Association; and Massachusetts Bar Association. Mr. Ladas looks forward to continuing to assist clients with their workers compensation claims, Social Security Disability Insurance, motor vehicle accident claims and motorcycle accident claims.


Elizabeth Ladas is a graduate of Bridgewater State College and New England School of Law, where she obtained her Juris Doctor degree. She is co-founder of Ladas Law Firm, P.C., in Hanover, Massachusetts. She has lived and worked on the South Shore her entire life.


Ms. Ladas practices in the area of Estate Planning, Probate and Estate Settlement. She prepares Wills, Trusts, Health Care Proxies and Durable Powers of Attorney for her clients. Ms. Ladas also practices in the area of real estate law. She assists clients in the purchase and sale of residential real estate. She is a member of the Massachusetts Bar and the Federal Bar.


Ms. Ladas is a member of the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys; South Shore Womens Business Network; Plymouth County Bar Association; Plymouth District Bar Association; Real Estate Bar Association; and Plymouth and South Shore Board of Realtors.


Ms. Ladas would be happy to discuss your estate or real estate purchase/sale with you today.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

CNN Investigation Exposes How Insurers Mistreat Accident Victims

Two CNN reporters did an 18-month investigation of how insurers handle car accident claims. Their findings were troubling, but no surprise to anyone who has been victimized by insurance industry tactics.

The report focused on common types of car accidents -- fender benders that cause moderate damage and injuries to the victim's soft tissue, which are hard to see and hard to show by medical examination or x-ray. The report found that insurance companies often:


  • delay handling your claim,

  • deny that you were hurt, or

  • cost you money by forcing you to go to court.

The reporters even obtained an insurance company's training manual which told claims adjusters to try to force small settlements.


A former adjuster told CNN she used these tactics, sometimes offering poor victims as little as just $50. The adjuster knew poor people would take small settlements, fearing that otherwise they would get nothing. An insurance company lawyer admitted the company's strategy was to make fighting the company so costly and time-consuming that even lawyers would not be willing to fight for clients.


According to the CNN report, these tactics have forced accident victims to settle and walk away from billions of dollars, letting insurers keep these amounts for themselves.


Another former employee told the CNN reporters that insurance companies profit from using these practices; that the profits are good and as long as the public lets this occur, insurance companies will get richer and people will not get fair and reasonable settlements.


Insurance companies naturally deny using these tactics. But many people feel they have been victimized twice. First in a car or other accident. Then when a claim is submitted and the insurer wrongly delays and denies the claim, offers only low-ball settlements, and runs up the victim's cost by forcing the claim to court. CNN's investigative report tends to show this is true.


Don't be a victim of unfair insurance company practices. after a car accident, consult your lawyer about your rights to make a claim, and about fair value of your claim. Getting a lawyer's help with your insurance claim can help you get a larger and faster settlement. If the insurance company won't make a fair settlement, your lawyer can advise you on your rights to pursue a claim.


Read the full article at CNN.com: http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/02/09/insurance.hardball/index.html


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