Review Your Long-Term Care Insurance Policy: You May Need to File a Bad Faith Claim
People who are met with a significant delay, reduction or denial of benefits after filing a long-term care claim should carefully review their policy because their insurance company may be acting in bad faith. With the significant number of baby boomers reaching their senior years, bad faith insurance claims for health care and disability benefits are on the rise. The Risks of Long-Term Care Policies Bad faith claims against disability insurers have been prevalent for decades, but claims against long-term care insurers are now catching up. Since baby [...]
When Angry Drivers Cause Accidents [infographic]
When road rage results in a serious car accident or injuries, the driver who committed the offense can be held liable. According to NHTSA, approximately one-third of accidents that cause injuries and deaths on U.S. roads and highways are caused by aggressive drivers and road rage. (Article continues below infographic) ______ Road Rage and Angry Drivers Traffic studies done by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicate that more than 50 percent of drivers have experienced angry drivers on the road. Many of these incidents end [...]
Understanding the Impact of Untimely Payment in Insurance Bad Faith Cases
When delayed claim payments are the result of bad faith conduct by insurance companies, the insurer can be held liable for significant damages. Bad Faith Insurance Claims Bad faith conduct may result in legal action against insurance companies that delay or deny claims when liability is clear. The specifics of insurance policies differ between states and insurers, but all insurers have a legal obligation to abide by the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Bad faith insurance cases represent intentional dishonesty on the part of the [...]
When Calls for Help Go Unanswered
In nursing homes, unanswered calls for help by staff and caretakers can mean the difference between life and death for elderly patients. Unanswered Calls For Help Can be Fatal Nursing home call systems provide a lifeline for elderly patients who require assistance. When calls go unanswered by medical staff, patients can suffer serious injuries, even death. All nursing home facilities are required to have a call system with a two-way intercom between the nurse’s station and the patient’s bed. When the patient activates the call button, a light [...]
Safety Issues Are Raised as Driverless Flying Taxis Prepare for Takeoff [infographic]
Many companies have already started developing self-driving air taxis, but safety issues and concerns about the dangers these vehicles pose to passengers, people in buildings, pedestrians, motor vehicles, and commercial aircraft continue to be raised. (Article continues below infographic) ______ The Future of Driverless Air Taxis Autonomous air taxis are currently under development, but safety concerns for people and the impact these vehicles will have on traffic patterns continue to pose issues. Propelled by advanced technology, eager investors, and frustrated drivers stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic every day, fleets [...]
Nursing Home Neglect: Can a Patient With Dementia Refuse Care?
Dementia patients have the right to accept or refuse medical care, so long as they demonstrate adequate mental capacity. The U.S. Constitution protects a person’s basic freedoms, including the right to privacy and protection against actions of others that may threaten bodily integrity. However, when a dementia patient’s mental capacity is shown to be inadequate, they no longer have the right to accept or refuse medical care. So, can a patient with dementia refuse care? Determining Competency and Legal Rights of Dementia Patients How does competency affect the [...]
Textalyzer: A Breathalyzer for Your Cellphone
A new device called a textalyzer, designed to reduce the high number of auto accidents caused by distracted drivers, can check to see if drivers have been texting or performing other activities on their cell phones in the moments before a crash. What is the Textalyzer? A digital device, called the textalyzer, has been developed to help law enforcement crack down on distracted driving accidents caused by cell phone use behind the wheel. The new textalyzer technology is modeled after the current Breathalyzer device that police use to [...]
Residents Are Getting Illegally Dumped By their Nursing Homes [infographic]
“Hospital Dumping” is an illegal eviction process for nursing home residents which has become a major concern for the elderly in the U.S. and about 9,000 people fall victim to this practice every year. (Article continues below infographic) Illegal Hospital Dumping Thousands of elderly residents are getting dumped every year in hospitals where they are taken for acute care treatment of illness or injury. Once their hospital care is completed, they are told without prior warning that they cannot return to their nursing home. According to federal laws, [...]
PTSD: The Terror Continues After the Tragedy Ends [infographic]
Traumatic experiences can trigger PTSD which can have a long-term impact on a person’s health causing physical, emotional, and cognitive dysfunction. A person who has a traumatic stress event often experiences intense fear and feelings of helplessness that leave a significant mark on the brain, so future experiences can trigger similar reactions years later. (Article continues below infographic) Living With PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder that has negative, long-term health effects on physical, mental, and cognitive functions. It’s caused by exposure, either witnessed [...]
One Tricky Way Insurance Companies Get Out of Paying
Insurance companies sometimes use rescission to deny benefits to consumers, especially when a large claim is filed. The canceling of insurance policies at the time of a claim due to innocent omissions or mistakes is a growing problem for consumers who are then left without current coverage and often struggle with the ability to obtain new insurance. Consumers must be extra cautious when filling out insurance forms to help prevent having a health or life insurance claim denied due to rescission. Consumers Bear the Brunt of Misunderstanding Forms [...]
