Insurers can go to extreme—or even illegal—lengths to underpay claims, causing undue stress for policyholders from all walks of life. Actress Shannen Doherty, who has been in an ongoing dispute with State Farm in relation to her 2018 fire insurance claim, has filed a new grievance against the company for its underhanded tactics and misuse of her personal information, causing her “enormous emotional distress.”
Doherty Says State Farm’s False Claims Caused Emotional Distress
Shannen Doherty first clashed with insurance giant State Farm over the cost of repairs to her Los Angeles home, which was damaged in a 2018 wildfire. The 48-year-old actress, who is currently battling stage IV breast cancer, says State Farm lied about her smoking habits and damaged her reputation in order to pay less than the full amount of her property damage claim.
The case against State Farm is scheduled to begin on March 3, 2020, and includes accusations of:
- Underpaying a valid claim. State Farm has issued Doherty a total of $1.1 million for repairs to her property, temporary housing, and furniture rental. However, the actress claims the damage costs are closer to $4 million, and is seeking additional payment to cover out-of-pocket expenses and to clear harmful soot and ash particles on the property that could exacerbate her illness and worsen her COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
- Accessing private medical records. In an initial deposition, a State Farm industrial hygienist claimed to have seen medical records indicating that Doherty continued to smoke cigarettes after receiving her latest cancer diagnosis. Doherty has denied the accusation, claiming that the contractor had no right to access her private health information nor the medical expertise to speculate about her condition.
- Publishing Doherty’s home address. Doherty claims that the insurer disclosed private details about her to the public, including her home address, placing the safety of the actress and her family at risk.
If you are experiencing similar unfair treatment from an insurer, the insurance bad faith attorneys at the Voss Law Firm can help you fight to get the compensation you deserve from your policy. Simply fill out the contact form on this page today or order a free copy of our book, Commercial Property Owners Must Read This BEFORE Filing an Insurance Claim.
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