James Harrington of Polito and Harrington resolved a claim this week stemming from a Massachusetts motor vehicle accident in which his client sustained a serious back injury ultimately requiring surgery. Prior to our firm being retained, the client was offered $250.00 by an insurance adjuster to settle her case. After bringing suit in Massachusetts, where Polito and Harrington also practices, the case settled for $285,000.
This case serves as a reminder to never settle a claim directly with an insurance company until you have consulted with a lawyer and until the full scope of your injuries are known. Offers made by insurance companies to unrepresented parties will almost always be less than the true value of the claim, and like in this instance, can be substantially less. Insurance companies will also try to settle a case quickly before the true nature of a serious injury has been realized.
If you have been involved in an accident contact Polito and Harrington to discuss your rights before speaking with an insurance company. Polito and Harrington practices in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and the tribal courts at Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Casinos.