Awarded Damages in Case Against Sierra Health & Life Insurance Company: $40 million for compensatory damages and $160 million in punitive damages.

BREAKING NEWS

Jury Awards $200 Million in Insurance Bad Faith Verdict for Denial of Cancer Treatment

On April 5, 2022, a jury in Las Vegas, Nevada, rendered an insurance bad faith verdict against Sierra Health and Life Insurance Company (a subsidiary of United Healthcare) in the amount of $200 million. The award included $40 million in compensatory damages for the physical, mental, and emotional harm caused to Sierra policyholder Bill Eskew resulting from Sierra’s malicious and oppressive denial of Bill's health insurance claim for cancer treatment.

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EXPERIENCED OKLAHOMA CITY INSURANCE LAWYER

If you’ve had a claim denied, don’t take on an insurance company alone. Talk to insurance lawyer Doug Terry. He has the experience and skill you need to navigate the claims system and to make certain insurers don’t take advantage of you.

Policyholders face insurance companies who delay, deny and underpay their claims every day. Policyholders know when their insurance company is not being fair with them, but all too often don’t know their legal options. The law requires insurance companies to act in good faith when dealing with their policyholders. When they fail to do this, they are in “bad faith.”

If you believe your claim has not been handled fairly, call insurance lawyer Doug Terry at (405) 463-6362 for a free consultation today.

Insurance lawyer Doug Terry protects those who have been wronged by an insurance company’s bad faith conduct. Doug represents clients who have had their claims wrongfully denied or underpaid, or who have been mistreated by insurance companies. Policyholders often feel like their insurance company is too powerful or too big to challenge or hold accountable for their wrongful conduct, but that’s not true when the policyholder has the right lawyer on their side.

Doug believes bad faith conduct by insurance companies is just plain wrong. So, he puts his experience and skill to work helping his clients get the compensation they deserve. He represents clients across the state and beyond who have problems with many kinds of claims, including health, automobile, homeowners, disability, life and commercial insurance claims.

When dealing with a bad faith insurance company, don’t take no for an answer. Call insurance lawyer Doug Terry today to hold them accountable for what they owe you.

Doug also represents people who have been injured by industrial accidents, product failures, trucking and motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice and other causes. He has fought for countless people and their families who were confronted with wrongful death or serious injuries resulting from the negligence of others.

Though his reputation has been earned though his aggressive approach in litigating, settling and trying lawsuits on behalf of his clients, Doug takes the greatest pride in the relationships he has built with them.

  • HEALTH INSURANCE DISPUTES
  • AUTO INSURANCE CLAIMS
  • PROPERTY INSURANCE BAD FAITH

HEALTH INSURANCE DISPUTES

The Cunningham’s Story

Health Insurance Denial LawyerInsurance lawyer Doug Terry represented Ron Cunningham after his insurance company, Aetna, denied coverage for proton therapy to treat his wife, Orrana, who had stage IV nasopharyngeal cancer. Aetna claimed the treatment was “experimental,” so Ron was forced to borrow $92,082 against the dream house he and Orrana had built. After losing his wife and enduring a three-and-a-half-year legal battle, a jury awarded the Cunningham family over $25 million after it was proven Aetna breached its contract and acted in bad faith.

READ ABOUT THIS $25 MILLION VERDICT HEALTH INSURANCE DENIALS

  • Coverage Denied
  • Underpaid Claims
  • Coverage Disputes
  • Delay in Claim Processing

AUTO INSURANCE CLAIMS

Coverage Underpayment

One of our clients was seriously injured by a distracted driver who carried the minimum amount of insurance – $25,000. The client had over $20,000 in medical bills and needed $100,000 worth of surgery. The client’s own insurance company tried desperately to underpay him with an unfair settlement. Our insurance attorney went to work and revealed that the company used practices that encouraged adjusters to take advantage of policyholders. The company settled for far more money than our client would have recovered through his own UM insurance.
READ MORE ABOUT THIS CLIENT STORY DO YOU HAVE A CLAIM?

  • Delay of Claim Payments
  • Denial Without Justification
  • Lowball Offers of Claim Payments
  • Biased Experts Deciding Claims

PROPERTY INSURANCE BAD FAITH

They Lost It All, Then…

One family we represented lost everything in a devastating home fire. Unfortunately, their insurance company dragged their feet and did everything possible to underpay the claim. When the policyholders hired our insurance lawyer, things changed. Through careful investigation and skillful depositions, we exposed the insurer’s bad faith conduct. The company settled the case with the satisfied policyholders, who remain loyal friends with Doug to this day.
READ MORE ABOUT THIS CLIENT STORY LEARN ABOUT HOME INSURER BAD FAITH

  • Homeowners Insurance Claims
  • Commercial Property
  • Coverage Disputes
  • Storm Damage
  • Flooding

HOW DO I KNOW IT’S TIME TO HIRE AN INSURANCE LAWYER?

Insurance is supposed to protect you, the consumer. You pay your premiums on time — often for years — feeling secure that when the day comes that you need it, insurance will kick in to save you from financial ruin.

So when the insurance company denies your claim or tries to pay you less than what you deserve, you may be shocked, panicked, and uncertain about what to do. You may wonder if you stand a chance fighting back against a large corporation.

Insurance companies are not in business to help people, despite what they say in their advertising. They are for-profit companies that value their bottom line over anything else. Their main objective is to pay out as little as possible and save themselves money. And they know that in many, if not most, cases they will get away with it. Not all consumers know that they have legal options for pursuing the full amount of money due to them.

The good news is that people do have legal recourse if they have been wronged by an insurance company. The bad news is that it is not an easy task to successfully hold them to account. You must prove that they have acted in bad faith.

If you have been unfairly treated by an insurer and have been unsuccessful in getting them to pay the fair amount of money you are owed, it is time to hire a skilled and experienced insurance lawyer.

Insurance companies have teams of insurance lawyers working on their side. Having your own insurance lawyer will put you on an even playing field. Here are a few ways insurance attorney Doug Terry will help you:

  • Examine your case and determine whether the insurer has acted in bad faith according to the law
  • Read and help you understand the fine print of your policy
  • Help you navigate the complex laws governing insurance
  • Negotiate aggressively with the insurance company on your behalf
  • Represent your interests in the courtroom if the case isn’t resolved through negotiation
  • Handle all paperwork, communication, and other details so you don’t have to

HOW WILL MY INSURANCE ATTORNEY DETERMINE WHETHER AN INSURER HAS ACTED IN BAD FAITH?

Not every insurance claim that is denied is considered to be in bad faith. But insurance companies do have a duty to treat their clients fairly and in good faith. So if they unreasonably and unfairly deny or underpay a claim in order to serve their own interests, they may be considered to have acted in bad faith. In order to establish bad faith, we must prove that:

  • You were denied benefits that are due to you under the terms of your policy
  • The reason the insurance company denied your benefits is unreasonable and unfair

There are many other ways that insurance companies wrong their clients. These are not necessarily the basis for a bad faith lawsuit on their own, but they often go hand-in-hand with bad faith claims. Just a few examples of conduct that may amount to bad faith include:

  • They fail to conduct full and fair investigations in a timely manner
  • They fail to be responsive to policyholder inquiries
  • They fail to fairly and reasonably apply the language of the insurance policy to the claim
  • They fail to fairly weigh the evidence and offer a fair claim settlement
  • They fail to provide an acceptable and specific explanation for a claim denial
  • They fail to approve and pay a claim within a reasonable timeframe

In order to determine whether an insurance company’s actions amount to bad faith, Doug Terry will have to speak with you and investigate the facts of your case. If you believe you have been unfairly treated by an insurer, call him to schedule a consultation.

WHEN EVALUATING INSURANCE LAWYERS, WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR?

The laws governing insurance bad faith in Oklahoma are complex and specific. Not every insurance lawyer will be as familiar with them as they need to be. In order to build the strongest possible case — and win the money you are owed — it is important to hire a professional who focuses their practice on bad faith insurance claims.

  • Experience. Doug Terry has been representing people victimized by insurance companies acting in bad faith for many years. This practice area has become his passion. He began his career representing the other side — big insurance companies — which has given him valuable insight into their mindset, their tactics, and how they deal with policyholders.
  • A proven record. Doug Terry’s record speaks for itself. He is a tough litigator who stands up for the little guy against big insurance companies. He has won millions of dollars for clients who have been victims of bad faith by health insurers, auto insurers, and property insurers.
  • Payment on contingency. Doug Terry will be able to evaluate your situation and determine whether you have a strong claim for an insurance bad faith lawsuit. He accepts only cases that he believes he can win, and will be paid on contingency. That means he will not be paid until you are.

OUR INSURANCE LAWYER HELPS WITH HEALTH INSURANCE DENIALS

It’s enough to make you sick.

Healthcare in the United States is incredibly expensive. We’re encouraged to have insurance to protect us from these costs. When we get sick and it’s time to reap the benefits of our policy, far too many people find their claims denied. Insurance companies have a bag of tricks they use to keep their payments to a minimum, and these practices come at your expense. Insurance attorney Doug Terry knows their play book.

If you’ve been wrongfully denied by your insurance company for a legitimate claim, then your insurer may have acted in bad faith. You don’t have to accept an insurance company’s decision. Contact Doug and speak to an advocate who will set things right.

HEALTH INSURANCE DENIALS GET A FREE CONSULTATION

PROPERTY INSURANCE DISPUTES

Insurance policies represent our “rainy day funds.” Sadly, too many policyholders find the water running dry.

You paid your insurance premium. You provided documentation proving your losses and you waited patiently to receive money for your property damage. Now, you’re being given the short end of the stick by the company you’ve trusted with your policy. Unfortunately, this story is all too familiar to the clients of insurance lawyer Doug Terry. It happens often, and many policyholders accept unlawful treatment by insurance companies without exploring their legal options.

Property damage can be caused by a hail storm, tornado, fire or any other unforeseen circumstance. You’ve been paying the bill for a safeguard against natural disasters, and it’s time for your insurance company to make good on their promises. Doug is ready to help you collect. Call us at (405) 463-6362 for a free consultation to discuss your claim.

It’s time for your insurance company to do the right thing. Doug Terry is a skilled insurance attorney who will give them no other option.

PROPERTY INSURANCE CLAIMS CONTACT DOUG

Auto Insurance Lawyer

It’s time for your insurance company to do the right thing. Doug Terry will give them no other option.

Our Insurance Attorney Handles Auto Insurance Claims That Are Denied or Underpaid

Insurance bad faith isn’t just unfair – it’s illegal.

Vehicle owners are required by law to insure their vehicles. Many of us have policies that go beyond the minimum requirements because we want assurance that we’ll be covered when our vehicle is damaged. It might seem like a cruel twist of fate that even though we’re legally required to carry insurance, our insurers feel comfortable denying our claims or offering us less than we deserve.

It’s time to use the law to your advantage by calling insurance attorney Doug Terry today. There are many tactics insurance companies use to reduce the payments they give policyholders. Doug knows them all. Call (405) 463-6362 and put his skills and experience to work on your claim.

AUTO INSURANCE BAD FAITH GET A FREE CONSULTATION

Okalahoma Insurance Lawyer Doug Terry Bad Faith Insurance

Right vs. Wrong

When insurance executives rake millions of dollars into their pockets while they jeopardize the well-being of their policyholders by not fairly paying claims, their companies must be held accountable. Greed and corruption have no place when it comes to the health and finances of hardworking people. Our bad faith claims attorney Doug Terry stands up for the little guys under tough circumstances. He fights aggressively on their behalf. He does everything he can to right the wrongs of a system the insurance companies set up to increase their profits at the expense of their policyholders.

INSURANCE COMPANIES WE’VE FOUGHT:

  • AAA
  • Aetna
  • AIG
  • Allianz
  • Allstate
  • American Family Insurance
  • American Fidelity Assurance
  • American Modern Insurance
  • ANPAC
  • Arkansas Farm Bureau
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • CGU
  • Chesapeake Life Insurance
  • Chubb
  • CNA
  • Continental Casualty
  • Country Preferred Insurance
  • Farmers Group, Inc.
  • Farmers Insurance Company
  • Farmers Insurance Exchange
  • Fire Insurance Exchange
  • Foremost Insurance
  • GEICO
  • Global Health, Inc.
  • Hanover Insurance
  • Hartford Insurance
  • Healthcare Services Corporation
  • Homesite Insurance
  • James River Insurance Co.
  • Liberty Mutual
  • Maryland Casualty
  • Mercury Insurance
  • Mid-Century Insurance
  • Mutual of Omaha
  • National American Insurance
  • National Fire & Marine Insurance
  • Nationwide Insurance
  • Ohio Casualty Insurance
  • Oklahoma Farm Bureau
  • One Beacon Insurance
  • Safeco Insurance
  • Shelter Insurance
  • State Auto Insurance
  • State Farm Automobile Insurance Co.
  • State Farm Fire Insurance Co.
  • TIG
  • Truck Insurance Exchange
  • United American Insurance
  • United Benefit Life Insurance
  • United Healthcare
  • USAA
  • White Mountain Insurance Group
  • Woodmen of the World
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Insurance Lawyer Doug Terry Is Your Advocate Against Insurance Companies

Doug is the advocate clients love and insurance companies fear.

Insurance lawyer Doug Terry has practiced law since 1993, has focused heavily on bad faith insurance throughout his career. He started his career working for insurance companies and gained invaluable insight into how these companies operate and how their representatives are trained to think. For the past 25 years, he’s put that knowledge to work for individuals and businesses who have been treated unfairly by their insurers.

By design, insurance exists to protect us from financial catastrophe when we experience hardship. Ironically, insurance companies that act in bad faith not only fail to protect policyholders, they actively worsen things by delaying, denying or underpaying claims.

A policyholder that has suffered a catastrophe is often in dire need of the payment their insurance company owes them. These catastrophes can come in the form of a tornado, a car wreck or a cancer diagnosis. In these times of need, Policyholders are often left out to dry by the company they’ve trusted. This isn’t just wrong, it’s illegal.

Doug is ready to hold your insurance company accountable for breaking the promises they’ve made. You can only level the playing field with the insurance company if you hire the right lawyer.

For insurance companies, policyholders are simply case numbers. For Doug Terry, they are clients, friends and, above all else, human beings who deserve to be treated with dignity, respect and fairness. Doug’s reputation and results speak to his dedication to his clients, but we encourage you to meet with him in person to discuss your case.

Contact Doug today to get started by calling our office at (405) 463-6362. We provide free consultations and you don’t pay unless we win your case. Contact Doug today to get started by calling our office at (405) 293-3541. We provide free consultations and you don’t pay unless we win your case. We serve clients in Oklahoma City, Edmond, Guthrie, Norman, Moore, El Reno, and throughout the state.