What Should I Do If My Insurance Company Claims Fraud Or Arson After My House Fire?

Ray Hrdlicka – Host – Attorneys.Media

“Again, from a layman point of view, and just sitting here talking, it seems strange that there would be fraud and arson involved with these cases on a regular basis. I would expect that to be the rare anomaly, not a norm.”

Spencer Freeman – Fire-Loss Attorney – Pierce County, WA

“I think that the existence of arson and insurance fraud, in truth, are a rare anomaly. But that doesn’t mean the insurance companies don’t investigate for them only in those cases. The insurance company’s going to look for red flags that exist, and whether or not those red flags warrant further investigation by the SIU (special investigations unit). Those investigations, often, are in situations where there was no arson, and there was no fraud. But the insurance company may be looking for it or think it’s there. And if they make a determination that it’s there, and it’s a wrong determination, now they’ve really violated their own duties to their own policyholder.”

Ray Hrdlicka – Host – Attorneys.Media

“I would expect so, because to me, if that was happening to me, I’d feel like your telling me, ‘hey, I’m accusing you of being a criminal! I’m accusing you of a crime here’. I’d be upset as hell, because you’re my insurance company and you’re taking this stance with me.”

Spencer Freeman – Fire-Loss Attorney – Pierce County, WA

“And that’s how it’s going to feel. For sure. Absolutely!”

Ray Hrdlicka – Host – Attorneys.Media

“Okay. And that’s how your clients feel…”

Spencer Freeman – Fire-Loss Attorney – Pierce County, WA

“Invariably. They feel like they’re being accused of a crime. And when there’s not, from my perspective, when there’s not sufficient evidence to warrant that level of investigation, then they’ve committed bad faith. And there’s a claim against their own insurance company for bad faith claims practices.”

YOUR PERSONAL INJURY IS OUR PERSONAL BUSINESS

Freeman Law Firm, Inc. is one of the most reputable and reliable attorney enterprises with two locations in Tacoma and Olympia, WA. When an injury happens, one is often so overcome with shock and pain that thinking about the legal course and taking the next steps may feel like an overwhelming task. This is where our team of experts comes in. We’re here to safely guide you through the seemingly puzzling maze of who’s, what’s, where’s and when’s of the legal recourse. Our skilled lawyers, each of whom is equipped with top qualifications and years of experience in the field, will represent your case and stand by your side for what is right.

Life is all about the unexpected – and the unexpected can come as pleasant surprises or non-so- pleasant accidents. We’re here to help you out when life takes a turn for the worst, to get you back on your feet again.

After practicing with a downtown Seattle firm, Spencer Freeman opened the Freeman Law Firm, Inc. in Tacoma, WA in 2005 after the birth of his first son. Over the course of time, the Freeman Law Firm, Inc. has adhered to the needs of its community, both locally and with contacts nationally. These needs have included litigation in several different areas, including Business Litigation, Copyright Infringement Litigation, Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice, First Party Bad Faith Litigation, Criminal Law, as well as Administrative Law. Mr. Freeman’s intent was and is to make those skills he has learned in his career and his passion for trials accessible.

Mr. Freeman’s connections locally and nationally nourished his practice over time. He has served the local community as well as handling cases in federal courts across the country. Locally, Mr. Freeman has assisted local businesses in such matters as contentious shareholder disputes and individuals in matters ranging from catastrophic injuries to class A felonies as well as lawsuits against insurance companies for bad faith claims practices. He tried a Whatcom County Superior Court case for a bail bond company that resulted in the first appellate law in Washington truly outlining the rights of fugitive recovery agents. He has tried cases in many counties throughout the State of Washington, argued before the Court of Appeals Division I and Division II and the Washington State Supreme Court.

Mr. Freeman’s practice has taken him beyond Washington State, where he has handled cases for national Internet multi-media companies enforcing copyrights in states such as Florida, Nevada, Arizona, and California. In those cases, he has successfully argued for jurisdiction in the United States against individuals that reside in other countries. Mr. Freeman also represented a publisher against sheriffs regarding First Amendment Rights to distribute a magazine in county jails, resulting in arguments before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the first case law of its kind. He has argued before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals five times and submitted a briefing to the United States Supreme Court.

On more than several occasions, Mr. Freeman has been retained by parties on the near eve of a trial solely for purpose of being lead trial counsel. One such successful case was against the U.S. Department of Justice in their first trial attempting to enforce the CAN-SPAM Act for the actions of independent contractors.

Mr. Freeman’s passion and strength lay in front of a jury. He finds a beautiful balance between fact witnesses, statutes, case law, rules of evidence, and the different contexts of each jury. Most cases find a resolution before trial, but the best resolution occurs when counsel is prepared to try the case. And, when a case cannot find resolution, Mr. Freeman loves to go to work.