State Farm "Qui Tam" Hearing Raises Issues of Wrongful Adjustment

An important evidentiary hearing concerning alleged wrongful claims practices is taking place in Mississippi. Since the allegations partially involve an insurance company obtaining altered or biased reports from experts, it should be studied by those with similar concerns in other areas of the country. The primary issue in this case is whether State Farm adjusted flood losses so that the Federal Government paid too much on those flood claims through the National Flood Program. The lawsuit contends that State Farm had a motive for doing so because it could minimize the amount owed under its own all risk insurance policies which exclude flood damage.

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State Farm Whistle-Blower Suit Regarding Altered Expert Reports Continues

There are still a number of Hurricane Katrina cases we are actively litigating in Mississippi. One of the cases being followed closely by Slabbed is the Qui Tam litigation, brought by the two Rigsby sisters that worked for State Farm following catastrophes. The Rigsbys claim that the federal government paid more in National Flood payments than what was owed because State Farm altered engineering reports and made outcome oriented adjustments, which maximized flood related damaged so that the amounts paid under State Farm's policies would be minimized.

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Court unseals Whistleblower suit accusing insurers of overbilling federal government

A group of former insurance adjusters filed suit (see full text of the complaint) last year accusing insurers of misrepresenting claims to the National Flood Insurance Program to limit their financial losses in Katrina's aftermath.  The suit was legally required to remain under seal while federal officials reviewed the case.  A federal judge in New Orleans unsealed the suit last week, after U.S. Attorney, David Dugas decided that his Baton Rouge-based office will not intervene. Dean Starkman, Insurance Transparency Project, ties together several great examples of the alleged fleecing of the National Flood Insurance Insurance Program, including compensation for flood damage where there was no damage, 300% charge up for building materials, insurer flood claim additions for items insureds never owned or filed for. Click here for related story....