Providing Strategic Insurance Fraud Defense
Insurance companies are vigilant about insurance fraud in any form. Companies will aggressively seek to exemplify you and your situation if you’ve been accused of insurance fraud. The damage to your reputation can be swift. Securing experienced counsel early in the insurance fraud investigation process is your best response to an accusation of insurance fraud.
Building a strong defense against white collar criminal charges such as insurance fraud starts with a thorough investigation. Attorney Dan C. Guthrie Jr. of Guthrie PLLC employs former federal investigators, IRS special agents and other professionals as necessary. He defends clients accused of insurance fraud in Dallas, Texas, and across the country.
An Experienced And Thorough Insurance Fraud Defense Lawyer
Mr. Guthrie represents insured parties, including businesses or individuals. He also represents insurance adjustors or agents accused of insurance adjustor fraud, insurance agent fraud or insurance policy fraud.
These crimes are taken very seriously, regardless of the type of insurance. Insurance fraud occurs in a broad range of contexts and may involve any type of insurance. Common examples include:
- The corporation that “overstates” insurance losses after a natural disaster
- The medical provider who renders one service but charges for a more expensive one
- The business owner who makes a few false statements to secure lower premiums
No matter what types of insurance fraud accusations you may be facing, Mr. Guthrie has represented clients in several different types of insurance fraud investigations. He has also successfully defended clients facing a wide array of insurance fraud charges.
What Constitutes Insurance Fraud In Texas?
In the state of Texas, Texas Penal Code 35.02 makes it a crime to engage in a fraudulent activity that is related to an insurance policy or claim. In addition, the accused must knowingly or intentionally engaged in the alleged fraudulent activity. Insurance fraud investigations can lead to insurance fraud charges, including insurance claim fraud or insurance policy fraud.
Is There A Federal Insurance Fraud Law?
While there is no federal statute that addresses insurance fraud specifically, insurance fraud can still be investigated and prosecuted as a federal fraud offense. Under federal wire fraud or mail fraud laws, insurance fraud can be prosecuted as a fraud crime that uses the mail, telephone or internet. In addition, under 18 U.S. Code § 1033, insurance adjustors, insurance agents and insurance executives who conduct activities that deal with insurance in the context of interstate commerce can be accused of federal crimes.
Different Types Of Insurance Fraud
Insurance fraud can manifest in all different forms. Here are a few common examples:
- Life insurance fraud: Reporting a false death to collect on a life insurance claim.
- Health insurance fraud: Patients or doctors making false or inflated claims to get insurance to pay more for medical services or treatments.
- Premium diversion: Embezzling insurance premiums. This typically happens when an insurer doesn’t send premiums to an underwriter but keeps them for themselves.
- Staged accidents: When someone fakes an accident to get money from their insurer. This can happen through staging a car crash, housefire or other serious incident that could lead to large payouts.
Insurance fraud charges of any kind should be taken seriously. However, insurers can also quickly point the finger at policyholders and accuse them of insurance fraud to protect their bottom line. Regardless of the accusation, it’s important to hire insurance fraud defense legal counsel as soon as possible.
Seek Effective Fraud Defense Counsel Today
Insurance fraud charges can have a lasting impact on your future. Don’t let insurers accuse you of fraudulent activity without defending your side of the story. Fight back with help from an insurance fraud defense lawyer like Dan C. Guthrie Jr.
Begin your defense by scheduling an initial consultation. Call 214-953-1000 or visit the firm’s contact page to start.