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Justin
USA
137 Posts |
 Posted - 01/14/2003 : 22:42:14
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And then there is the story of the lawyer that moved to a small town where he was the only lawyer in town. After two years he almost starved to death and business was very bad, until another lawyer moved into the same town.
MAYBE we should turn this thread into a place where everyone tells their favorite lawyer joke. |
Edited by - Justin on 01/14/2003 22:43:23 |
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Newt
USA
657 Posts |
Posted - 01/15/2003 : 07:09:28
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I gotta say, most Lawyers get a bad reputation from being an adversary to half the people in the courts. I did business with most of the lawyers in a five county area, been in their homes,knew their families and all of them without exception were what I considered true friends.
They provide a service which is to defend a client from wrong doing or being wrongfully accused.
There are ambulance chasers, just as in any proffession. Trial lawyers are hired to represent, and they are honor bound to do it even if it is unpopular with public oppinion.
The juries are the ones who make the judgement, the client makes the call to prosecute a case. The Lawyer merely does his job. Some are more successful than others through media coverage and high profile cases. This is to their advantage and they use that to set their fees. That is what determines the wealth and status of an indiviidual, regardless of what field.
So all this bashing of lawyers is really unfair, we all do it just as we all do jokes about blonds and Californians. The sad part of all this bashing, the clients are the ones with the claim and the lawyers get the blaim. The system is broken and until the attitude of people change, we are going to pay for it, higher costs for everything.
Does this mean I won't pass along a Lawyer joke, no way, I even like tall people jokes and I are one.
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Linda
USA
127 Posts |
Posted - 01/15/2003 : 07:11:55
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There are times when an Insured retaining an attorney is like a breath of fresh air! You can explain policy language until you are black and blue in the face and the Insured's reply is, "and so..." And so you explain it again. They sometimes absolutely refuse to believe they are not covered or that coverage is limited. They may live in a 3/2 rubber stamped tract home but when ALE kicks in they need "all the amenities their family is entitled to." That usually means a luxury apartment complete with pool, tennis courts, maid service, shuttle to take Little Johnny to school and Suzie to her ballet lesson. In short, they don't care if their home is ever repaired.
Then you may have one who says, "take my house--I don't want to live in it now or ever again. I have a replacement policy--replace it." You pray for an attorney!
An attorney usually is a more reasonable person to deal with in terms of he has read the policy and John Q. Insured purchased the policy when he bought the home, threw it in a drawer 10 years ago and never even opened the envelope until you appeared. He probably has to check his mortgage statement to even know how much he is paying for the policy. The policy language has become more consumer friendly but if you never read it, you never understand it. An insurance policy is the most purchased document and the least read.
Admittedly, some of the language is vague and ambiguous. Most contracts fall into this same category. But an attorney can sometimes explain it in terms we can't use. Then you run into the insureds who go through attorneys the way they go through adjusters. They are hoping one of them will finally tell them them they have just hit the jackpot!
Attorneys can be a blessing or a curse. I would rather have 5 claims with attorneys on them than to have one "and so...." with the insured.
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Edited by - Linda on 01/15/2003 07:14:05 |
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wfkelley
8 Posts |
Posted - 01/15/2003 : 09:13:05
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THANKS everyone who replied to my request. Many of your concerns regarding attorneys are valid. There are too many, and some of them are willing to bend the rules a bit to make a living. I have always felt that a loser pay system would help curb litigation, but so would stricter attorney rules including enforcing the advertisement rules that already exist.
Please see my second thread for additional opportunities to tell attorney jokes. I like them too.
Bill (wfkelley) |
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okclarryd
USA
106 Posts |
Posted - 01/15/2003 : 10:46:34
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Just one last note. I have been working in the claims b'ness since 1970. This may qualify me as an 'Ol' Fart' and it's probably true. I have settle many, many claims with attorneys that just want it closed and off their desk. They can put their part in the bank and get on with the next one. I have also settled a few with the attorney that really wants to hit a 'home run' and make a substantial deposit into his retirement fund. There are always 2 sides to the coin. The only thing the adjuster can do is try to settle the claim calmly without getting into a truly adversarial relationship with the attorney. Or failing to comply with the state's Fair Claims Practices Act.
This is where most claims go to attorneys. If the claim is mishandled from the start, fellas, it's gonna get expensive. If the adjuster is fair, polite, and not abusive or aggressive, the claim may very well be closed in a timely manner. There are always those that go to an attorney no matter what and there are always those that go to an attorney simply because they should. The rest are within that grey area and are up to the adjuster to control and settle.
So, there. |
LARRY D HARDIN |
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okclarryd
USA
106 Posts |
Posted - 01/15/2003 : 10:47:55
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| By the way, some of y'all need to find the spell check button. Or quit drinkin' before you start typin' |
LARRY D HARDIN |
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j6407
USA
14 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2003 : 11:29:41
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This was an interesting thread. I enjoyed the input from all. I have been in this business since '84 and have seen my share of good bad and terrible adjusters. The ones that really make me angry are the unethical ones. What Ghostbuster said sets me off. Our business is becoming more diffucult. But so is the rest of society. To use the changing demands of our industry to justify kickbacks or unethical behaviour is inexcusable. I saw too much of this in Houston last year. If you are going to prostitute yourself turn in your license and go stand in a street corner. Don't tarnish my profesion. I am proud of what I do and make no apologies for it. At the end of a storm I know that I have helped people in need.
Gues what my hot button is ?
JJG |
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Ghostbuster
476 Posts |
Posted - 01/17/2003 : 15:43:02
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Very Good, J6407! This is the kind of spirited response we need around here! Rearing up on your hind legs and roaring let's us know there stout hearted men out there willing to take a strong stand. I thank you!
Oh, by the way, I prefer to be the $1000/day mistress rather than the carriers insistence that we all be $20.00 street corner harlots. I know what I'm worth, do you?
(Now, Roy, I'm not going any further with this, so just relax.) |
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CCarr
Canada
1200 Posts |
Posted - 01/20/2003 : 14:48:37
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I fully agree with Mark's comments, Russ's comments, Linda's comments, and partially with Larry's comments.
I disagree with Kile's comment on what he thinks a "big part of the problem is ....". I don't understand Ghost's rant, and I don't think Alan's 'jab' was necessary.
But, going back to Bill's question - why don't you ask these ignorant staff adjusters or any adjuster that you perceive that way - why Mr/Ms adjuster do you specifically have that attitude? What have I done to cause you to act that way? I'm serious - confront the issue.
Back in my carrier days, I would mandate that our staff intermediate and senior adjusters regularly meet with our defense counsel, under the guise of ongoing litigation training.
I wanted the adjusters to know that lawyers were human just like us, in every way. I also had our defense lawyers work into these sessions how the adjuster should communicate with plaintiff lawyers - in writing, on the phone, and in settlement meetings.
This like so many other things in life, boils down to treating people no worse than you yourself want to be treated.
Unfortunately at times, ignorance begets fear, which results in a rude manifestation of 'defense' due to mentally perceived intimidation. |
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CatDaddy
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - 01/29/2003 : 08:47:07
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Before I begin, Good Morning. I hope everyone slept well.
Craig, let me in on something. Am I on Candid Camera or have I stumbled onto a website for the egotisticaly insane?
Why are you right and the rest of the adjusting world wrong? Because you've worked a few claims? Cause you think you are the only people who work hard in this business? Cause you are a member of this site? Talk about being brainwashed, this singular point of view that I can smell in almost every forum on this site is symptom number one! Snap out of it.
Now I could run with this but I will resist. I have said and I'll say again, I do understand that IAs have alot to contend with to make a living. More so than staffers, I wouldnt say that, maybe, but certainly some of the obstacles are difference. But the biggest one I see is this "poor me - the man is keeping me down" chip on the shoulder so many on this site share. Your crappy attitude is what's holding you back. As I have said, I know plenty of IAs that are successful every year. If you are not, you need to figure out how you are different from them, not blame someone else.
And get some balls? Balls is working for a company that lost $5 billion dollars last year and still managed to pay your fees.
And Craig, nice slogan. "Pay what we owe, no more no less." I'll have our copyright attorney contact you. You must be brainwashed. You put carriers down and then quote them. That reminds me of a line from Forest Gump. "Are you stupid or something?" |
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Ghostbuster
476 Posts |
Posted - 01/29/2003 : 09:26:54
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WHOA! Uhhh...I'm gonna step back and let someone else use the flamethrower here.
I was once just like this guy but the forces of LIFE caused me to see the light. Let me further add, I apologize for once being this way. In retrospect, I just didn't know any better at the time as I had swallowed the company propaganda, hook, line, & sinker.
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JimF
USA
1014 Posts |
Posted - 01/29/2003 : 09:46:33
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Uh oh.
Whenever I hear Ghost mention that damned flamethrower, the bells start to toll around here pronouncing another ritual featherburning is about to commence.
A 'scorching' as the Klub House PledgeMaster likes to say, but it still beats that old frat paddle we used to have before Roy outlawed 'hazing' of the new pledges.
Already I am starting to sniff those first vague wifts of searing human flesh drifting down through the clouds.
Quick everyone. Take cover. Let the ceremony begin.
The Honourable Order of the Scorched Tail Feathers Club is now in open season.
At least it's a lot less boring than those damned Blue Goose meetings........(Honk. Honk. Honk.)
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Edited by - JimF on 01/29/2003 10:00:13 |
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CCarr
Canada
1200 Posts |
Posted - 01/29/2003 : 09:58:10
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The State Farm spokesperson just cann't seem to leave it alone. It seems that he has placed himself within the sack that holds those objects of circular configuration, and has tried - without success - to suggest that the paying of fees owed was his feat alone.
Once again and repeatedly, you are belittling with a wide - but already stagnant - brush, the members of this community.
If your spokesperson blinkers ever fall off, perhaps then the daylight of the real world will cause you to further hasten your stumbling down to a less elevated perch.
If you don't like the fragrance of the forums, let your mouse guide you to the 'log off' option. |
Edited by - CCarr on 01/29/2003 10:00:21 |
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JimF
USA
1014 Posts |
Posted - 01/29/2003 : 10:08:57
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| Uh Ghostbuster: do you think we could get Deloris and Tom in here in their cheerleader get-ups? |
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CatDaddy
USA
310 Posts |
Posted - 01/29/2003 : 10:16:34
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So what are you swallowing now Ghost? CADO propanda? Hell, you're the poster boy for what I'm talking about.
By the way, have you checked my updated profile lately?
I'm your biggest fan! |
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Anyone willing to help an attorney???
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