Scott Catron

🆕 #InsuranceNews from the Claims Journal ⤵️ Consumer Protection Agency Sues Walmart, Branch Alleging Illegal Pay Practices for Gig Drivers The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has sued Walmart and work scheduling platform Branch Messenger for allegedly forcing delivery drivers that are part of the discounter’s gig program to use costly deposit accounts to get paid and mispresented how they could … #PropertyClaims #PropertyInsurance #PublicAdjusters #InsuranceAdjusters https://vist.ly/3mrtcn8

New Post: Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators - https://lnkd.in/eAr-dcM8 Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators are professionals responsible for evaluating insurance claims to determine the extent of liability, assess coverage, and facilitate the resolution of claims for individuals and organizations. They play a critical role in the insurance industry, ensuring that policyholders receive fair compensation while protecting the interests of insurance companies. In this detailed…

As #subrogation professionals, it is important to be on the lookout for state-specific applications of the products liability statute of repose. Here, the Appellate Court found that the period of repose was triggered by the “first sale” of the product, rather than “a sale.” #FirstSale #Georgia You can read more from Katherine Dempsey, and about the case, in The Subrogation Strategist.

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“NYS Appellate Court: Insured’s Investigative Statements to Liability Insurer Are Protected From Disclosure”—Learn more in this alert from our Insurance Coverage & Regulation and Torts & Products Liability Defense Practice Areas, authored by Earl R. S., associate. Click here to read the alert: https://lnkd.in/gUZrq8SB #Alert #NYS #AppellateCourt #Lawsuits #LiabilityInsurance #FourthDepartment #Investigation #InvestigativeStatements #Discovery #InsuranceCarrier #UndueHardship #Accident #Claim

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The FDCPA, enacted in 1977, outlines specific practices that debt collectors must follow and prohibits certain behaviours deemed abusive, unfair, or deceptive. Despite its long-standing presence, violations of the FDCPA remain prevalent, often leading to significant legal repercussions for collection agencies and undue stress for consumers. In fact, in 2021 itself, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) refunded $4.86 million to victims of abusive debt collectors. They also amended complaints in two enforcement actions alleging unlawful debt collection practices against small businesses. Therefore, it is critical to avoid these common violations for any collection agency aiming to operate within the boundaries of the law and uphold its reputation. #FDCPA #Collections #Violations #FTC

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The Moment Truth Was Revealed: How Data Forensics Unraveled a Recent Fraudulent Claim: Recently, an insurance adjuster reached out to us at Relevant Data Technologies with a suspicious claim. The policy had only been in effect for a few days when a claim was filed, raising immediate concerns. The adjuster, having dealt with numerous claims and worked with us before, knew something was off—especially when inconsistencies appeared in the photos provided by the claimant. They needed more than just a quick review; they needed answers to the questions raised by their suspicion. We got to work analyzing the photo metadata, but there was a complication: the original data had been stripped when the photos were shared. Without this key information, we couldn’t verify the claim’s validity. To solve this, we worked with the adjuster and their legal counsel to devise a new plan—collecting the original data directly from the claimant. The attorney explained the process to the claimant, and a collection date was set. However, before we could proceed, the claimant suddenly withdrew the claim. It was clear they had realized the data would expose their fraudulent activity. Their abrupt withdrawal confirmed the suspicions all along. This was a big win for the insurance company, saving them time and resources. It also highlighted the value of data forensics in uncovering the truth. At Relevant Data Technologies, we’re committed to helping educate our clients to better detect and prevent fraud, using advanced tools and processes to stay ahead of dishonest claims. This case is a reminder of how critical it is to have the right team in place to uncover the facts. It wasn't a big pay day for us, but the excitement we felt from helping this client was invaluable. #DataForensics #FraudDetection #InsuranceFraud #Ediscovery #ClaimsInvestigation #LegalTech #DigitalForensics

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🚨 New Blog Post: Eyewitness Identification Safeguards Apply to Pre-trial Procedures 🚨 📲https://lnkd.in/dQ3ZR26y 👀 Eye Witness Identification Safeguards Extended to Pre-Trial Procedures in New Jersey A recent New Jersey Supreme Court case has made waves in the legal community by extending eyewitness identification safeguards to pre-trial procedures. This landmark decision has significant implications for both law enforcement and criminal defense attorneys. The Case: The case, State v. Washington, centered on whether prosecutors could show witnesses photos of the defendant during pre-trial preparation without any judicial oversight. The court ruled that such practices were unconstitutional, holding that prosecutors must have a compelling reason to show witnesses photos and must create a record of what transpired during the identification process. The Impact: This decision is a major victory for criminal defendants in New Jersey. It prevents prosecutors from using suggestive identification procedures that can unfairly taint a witness's memory and lead to wrongful convictions. The requirement for a compelling reason and a record of the identification process also provides greater transparency and accountability in the pre-trial phase. What This Means for You: If you are facing criminal charges in New Jersey, it is more important than ever to have an experienced attorney on your side who understands the nuances of eyewitness identification law. An attorney can help ensure that your rights are protected during pre-trial procedures and that any identification evidence is properly challenged in court. Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with an attorney to discuss your specific legal situation. 👨‍⚖️ At The Bianchi Law Group, our team of experienced former prosecutors keeps abreast of the evolving legal scenarios. We're committed to safeguarding individual rights and offering expert counsel in criminal defense, especially in complex cases involving search and seizure. Don't hesitate to call us 24/7 at (862) 315-7929. Stay informed with regular legal updates from our team of former prosecutors at The Bianchi Law Group. Follow us for insightful commentary and legal analysis on criminal defense, domestic violence, and municipal court cases. #FormerProsecutors #CriminalDefense #DomesticViolence #DWI #DUI #NJ No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of #NewJersey 🛡️ TEAM OF FORMER PROSECUTORS 🛡️ Robert (Bob) Bianchi, Esq. David Bruno, Esq. Danielle Esposito, Esq. Christopher A. Eaton, Esq. Paul A. Di Lella, Esq. Tricia Howarth Margolis Esq. Christina Hall, Esq. Maura Lynch Robert Esnes Alessandro Amato

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Claimants dominated in trade secret misappropriation cases in 2023, prevailing over defendants by more than a 3 to 1 margin! Other key stats include: ➡️ Claimants won 18% of cases with DTSA claims ➡️ Defendants won just 5% of DTSA cases ➡️ Median time to resolution was faster in DTSA cases Keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming Lex Machina 2024 Trade Secret Litigation Report to know more! https://bit.ly/3KVcvtq 👀 #LegalAnalytics #TradeSecrets #LexMachina

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In fact, this is the case of Insurer surveyor's credible evidence & report in support of repudiation of claim. On the other hand, there was absolutely no evidence of the respondents except the argument that the Surveyor’s report is not clinching, it is open ended and does not hold that the respondent nos.1 and 2 are responsible for the negligence.  The evidence of Surveyor has remained unrebutted. #supremecourtofindia #insurance #repudiation #claim #legaldeli

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Contact the Iconic team for your next claims investigation. #weareiconic #followtheeye #iconicinvestigations #privateinvestigator #iconreport #investigation #surveillance #claimsinvestigations #privatedetective #investigators #riskmanagement #backgroundchecks #privateinvestigators #pi #privateinvestigations #claimsmanagement #socialmedia #smallbusiness #mbe

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In July 2024, 489 new Notices of Violation and amended Notices were sent to product manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, alleging a violation of Prop. 65 for failing to provide a warning for their products. Read about noteworthy trends and categories from the recent Notices in the latest Prop 65 Pulse, a Keller and Heckman LLP newsletter that explores trends in California’s Proposition 65 (Prop. 65) and covers various industries, including food and beverage, cosmetics and personal care, consumer products, chemical products, e-vapor and tobacco products, household products, plastics and rubber, and retail distribution. https://lnkd.in/eiczxpxQ #Prop65 #food #drug #supplements #cosmetics #consumergoods #regulatory

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Check out this guide in the Counter-Fraud Library on Globlue's website! Open access with shelves full of guides, tips & tricks, websites, and more for download. #analytics #claims #investigations #insurance #investigators

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Ever wonder how courts determine intent to harm in liability cases? It's a complex situation, as intentions aren't always clear. A key factor is determining whether an act was so inherently injurious that it couldn't have been accidental. The decision is often based on what a reasonable individual would expect in a similar situation. If you have questions about what’s covered under your business insurance policies or are involved in a dispute with your insurer, Schwartz, Conroy & Hack is here to help. Learn more about commercial general liability (CGL) policies: https://lnkd.in/g-Z4YNhw #InsuranceClaims #BusinessInsurance #LiabilityCases

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Ever wondered what life is like for a professional private investigator? 🕵️‍♂️ Our CEO Mike LaCorte answers the internet's questions in his feature with WIRED. Watch the full video below: #PrivateInvestigators #ProfessionalInvestigators #WIRED #ConflictInternational

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Former insurance agent convicted after stealing $3.7 million from finance company LOS ANGELES — Formerly licensed insurance agent Tonja Van Roy, 59, who currently resides in Las Vegas, but operated an insurance agency based in Northridge, California, pleaded guilty today to one federal count of wire fraud after a Department of Insurance investigation revealed that she had stolen more than $3.7 million from a premium finance company named “AFCO Credit Corporation.” The investigation was initiated after the Department received a complaint from the company, AFCO Credit Corporation, that Van Roy had committed insurance premium financing fraud on the company. The complaint stated Van Roy, through her insurance agency, submitted fictitious loan applications through AFCO's loan system, which prompted AFCO to send premium funding payments to Van Roy The Department of Homeland Security / Homeland Security Investigations also participated in this investigation.   The investigation revealed that from January of 2021 through December of 2023 Van Roy created and submitted dozens of fraudulent finance agreement forms to AFCO. These fraudulent finance agreement forms deceived AFCO into believing Van Roy had sold insurance policies to her clients, and that those clients were applying for a loan from AFCO to pay the premiums for those policies. AFCO approved the loans noted on the fraudulent finance agreement forms, and then deposited the loan proceeds into Van Roy’s trust account via electronic funds transfer. AFCO believed Van Roy would forward the loan proceeds to the insurance carrier noted on the loan application. Unbeknownst to AFCO, almost all of the information noted on the fraudulent finance agreement forms was false. For example, the forms contained fictitious insurance policy numbers as well as forged electronic signatures for fictitious insureds. In addition, the forms noted a total of only two different addresses for dozens of different insureds, and both of those addresses are for homes rented by Van Roy. In total, Van Roy received approximately $3.7 million in stolen payments from AFCO as a result of all of the fraudulent finance agreement forms she submitted to AFCO. Van Roy then used the stolen money to purchase extravagant items for herself and her family members. Since the AFCO loans required repayment within one year, some of the initial loans were repaid by Van Roy. However, the initial fraudulent loans were repaid with the funds Van Roy received from the subsequent fraudulent loans, similar to the pattern seen in a Ponzi scheme. After accounting for Van Roy’s repayment of some of the initial fraudulent loans, Van Roy currently owes AFCO approximately $1.8 million. This case was prosecuted by the Major Frauds Section of the United States Attorney’s office in Los Angeles. Van Roy is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on March 31, 2025. https://lnkd.in/gxH2kYE4

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Insurance carriers must arbitrate as opposed to litigate first-party medical fraud by medical professionals in New Jersey based on language in the standard Assignment of Benefits form and a state required Precertification and Decision Point Review Plan? The Third Circuit says yes in a precedential decision. This changes the game. The question is this - will arbitrating these types claims lead to an increase or decrease of fraud by medical providers in the Garden State? #insurancefraud #insuranceclaims #litigation

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