Select What Is Happening to You Right Now
Recognize the tactics. Understand why they work. Learn exactly how we counter each one.
Tactic: Strategic Delay
What It Means
Insurance adjusters know that delayed claimants make worse decisions, accept lower offers, and sometimes miss filing deadlines. Silence is a negotiating tactic.
Why They Do It
Every week you wait without legal representation is a week they hold your money. They have no incentive to move quickly.
How We Counter It
We make contact in writing, establish a documentation trail, and put them on a formal response deadline. Silence stops the moment we get involved.
"I’ve never had an insurer not return my calls."
\u2014 Marcus Hargrove
This is happening to you. Call us.
Tactic: Early Settlement Pressure
What It Means
Quick offers almost always come before the full extent of your injuries is known. They want you to sign a release before you know what your case is worth.
Why They Do It
Early settlements save them money. They are betting you need the cash more than you need the right amount.
How We Counter It
We do not accept any offer until we have a complete medical picture and a full damages calculation. In the $840K case that started with a $45K offer, the difference was $795,000.
"A settlement you sign today is a release you cannot undo tomorrow."
\u2014 Carol Baines
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Tactic: Comparative Fault Assignment
What It Means
In most jurisdictions, if you are found partially at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurers routinely overstate claimant fault to reduce or eliminate liability.
Why They Do It
Shifting 30% of fault to you can reduce their payout by 30%. Shifting 51% eliminates their liability entirely in some states.
How We Counter It
We conduct independent accident investigation, gather evidence they will not gather, and challenge fault assignments with expert testimony and documentation.
"Their version of the accident is not the only version. We make sure the full story gets told."
\u2014 Marcus Hargrove
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Tactic: Recorded Statement Trap
What It Means
You are not legally required to give a recorded statement to the other party’s insurer. Anything you say will be analyzed for inconsistencies, minimizing language, or admissions.
Why They Do It
Recorded statements are used to lock claimants into early versions of events that may not reflect the full picture once injuries develop.
How We Counter It
You do not give a recorded statement without us present. We handle all communications with the opposing insurer.
"Never give a recorded statement without your attorney present. What you say cannot be unsaid."
\u2014 Carol Baines
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Tactic: Independent Medical Examination (IME)
What It Means
Despite being called independent, these exams are ordered by the insurer and conducted by doctors who work regularly for insurance companies. Their findings frequently understate injury severity.
Why They Do It
An IME finding of “minor injury” or “pre-existing condition” gives them grounds to limit or deny your claim.
How We Counter It
We prepare you for the exam, document your treating physician’s findings in detail, and challenge IME conclusions with your own medical expert testimony.
"An IME is not independent. It is an exam ordered by the party trying not to pay you."
\u2014 Marcus Hargrove
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Tactic: Pre-Existing Condition Defense
What It Means
Insurers routinely review medical records looking for any prior treatment in the same area of the body, then argue your current injury is not their fault.
Why They Do It
Even a mention of lower back discomfort years ago can be used to deny a legitimate back injury claim.
How We Counter It
The “eggshell plaintiff” doctrine holds that a defendant takes a plaintiff as they find them. Prior vulnerabilities do not eliminate liability. We establish this clearly with medical expert testimony.
"You take the plaintiff as you find them. A pre-existing condition is not a defense — it is a vulnerability the defendant exploited."
\u2014 Carol Baines
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Tactic: Medical Payments Acceptance Trap
What It Means
Accepting direct payment of medical bills without legal review often comes with conditions, including limitations on future claims or an implicit acknowledgment of the offered amount as full settlement.
Why They Do It
Getting you to accept anything — even just your medical bills — establishes a framework for minimizing your total recovery.
How We Counter It
We review any payment offer before you accept anything. Medical bill payments without a signed release are sometimes acceptable; with a release, almost never.
"Medical bill payments look generous until you read the fine print. Always have counsel review before accepting."
\u2014 Marcus Hargrove
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Tactic: Early Release Demand
What It Means
A signed release ends your claim permanently. All future complications, surgeries, lost wages, and pain are forfeited the moment you sign.
Why They Do It
Once you sign, their liability is legally terminated. They push releases early because they know your damages may grow.
How We Counter It
You do not sign anything without our review. Ever.
"A release is forever. Once you sign, no attorney in the world can undo it."
\u2014 Carol Baines
This is happening to you. Call us.