Who are the criminals?

April 20, 2013

After writing my lasy blog I realized how little we know about fraud, extortion, swindling. These actions happen to us every day. In relationship to lawyers, just how prevalent are these practices. Lying is fundamental, as my last posting exemplified. I had mentioned Enten, the attorney, using Greg Alderman to sell people on using Enten to represent them. When I met with Enten to discuss settlement, I asked him about Greg. He told me he didn't know anybody named Greg Alderman. I had a business card with Greg's name as a member of Enten's firm.

When fraud is mentioned in relationship to the insurance industry, one thinks of the people committing fraud. In my case I was lied to, manipulated, coerced, and ultimately swindled.

What is fraud? Legally fraud covers a wide area. But a simple definition is using deception to get something from someone, to trick someone into surrendering what belongs to them, even a right. How about extortion?
Illegal use of one's official position or powers to obtain property, funds, patronage.
To extort is to obtain by coercion, intimidation, or psychological pressure. To swindle: to cheat or defraud of money or property.

When dealing with claims adjusters I found that they learn how to twist common sense into nonsense. I had an experience with a Katherine Catherman, a Farmers adjuster. At least since the only contact is made over the phone one does not know really who they are. In a conversation about settling my claim from the 1999 accident, money was the topic. She said something that had me shaking my head in wonderment. She said "why would you need money"? The context had nothing to do with specifics, like I would need to pay my mortgage or a debt, maybe by food. It had to do with settling my claim. It was not in jest either. These are practices to discourage the people. I have multiple examples as I am sure anyone who has dealt with an insurance company has. Could these practices fall under extortion or defrauding someone of what belongs to them under their insurance contracts(policies) .
So, what is fiduciary? Of or relating to a duty of acting in good faith with regard to the interests of others. Held in trust.
Is this concept of trust part of our culture today, even remotely.
There is moral responsibility isn't there?
From what I have experience I believe I could put together a few cases that would have some of these insurance people, lawyers, even medical personnel in jail.
How to reign this industry in?