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23 Jul, 2016 by Paulgreenwood
I contracted Roger Messer in March 2015 for a personal injury action. In December 2014 I was a passenger in my mother's auto, when she fell asleep and drove off the road. I needed surgery on both shoulders, and I lost considerable work time and money. From early on, every time I talked to Mr. Messer, he warned me that we might not win the case against my mother's auto insurer. During the summer of 2015 I had a couple of surgeries, and then rehab. I talked with Mr. Messer's Paralegal, Julie, in August 2015 and told her my rehab was over. In September 2015 Julie called me and said all Roger needed was a doctor's report on my shoulder. I went to the doctor on October 8, and asked for the report. Doctor said report would be sent to my lawyer. I immediately called Julie and told her that the doctor would send the report. I waited until February 2016. When I heard nothing from my lawyer, I wrote an email. Julie responded by saying, " Haven't heard from you in awhile. Are you still treating?" This came 4 months after I had told her that my treatments were over and the doctor was going to send a report. I asked her if she received the report. She said no. I waited until March, then wrote again.
Julie said that she still had not received the report and she would contact me when she did. In April, tired of waiting, I asked her again. She still had not received the report. I personally called the doctor and asked them to send the report. They told me they had sent it months prior. I asked them kindly to resend it. At this point, Roger asked me to personally get my mother's auto insurance policy so he could "go over it". Over one year later he was asking me for a very important document which I believed he already had. Next, after getting the doctor's report, Roger told me he wanted to meet with me to discuss a demand letter and how much we were going to ask for. He said he needed to talk with me first before sending the letter. Great. So I made an appointment, and a few weeks later drove up to meet with Roger. I sat down in front of him, and all he said was, "I'm going to need your prior year's W-2". So I drove 40+ miles round trip for something he could have asked me for over the phone.
That was in May 2016. In July 2016, without any prior notice, I received a letter in the mail from Roger with a copy of a demand letter he wrote to the auto insurer. He did not ask me or even let me know that he was going to send the letter. I had zero input as to the demand amount, which, by the way, I believed to be too low. There are more problems I had with Roger, but, in the end, the insurer denied the claim, stating that there was a clause which stated that family members are excluded from making claims against the insured. I went over the policy several times and did not see such a clause. Roger also told me that he went over the policy and never saw such a clause. So then, why did he accept the insurers explanation so easily, and without proof? Obviously, I am going to see another lawyer. I am extremely dissatisfied with Roger Messer's performance, and that of his Paralegal. I believe the case failed more to the efforts, or lack thereof, of my lawyer, than of the law. I do not recommend Roger Messer at all. That is my opinion.
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23 Jun, 2015 by Doris tropf
I first met and hired Roger Messer in 1981. Our youngest daughter, Lynnette, was killed by an impaired driver, he also severely, permanently injured her 15 month old son who was in the car with her. My family was devastated by our loss. It was extremely difficult for my husband and myself to deal with legal matters at that time. Initially our reason for seeing Roger was to secure the guardianship of Lynnettes two children , their father and his family were not an option (the father was in jail at the time of the tragedy)---when Roger heard our story he immediately realized we needed more help than this. Roger not only secured the guardianship of the children for us, we later were able to adopt them, he got the children secure, lifetime settlements. He also saved my husband and myself from making a very costly error with the car insurance company, and much more than I could write in this small space. He did all this with the most kindness, and thoughtfulness to our raw feelings. Over the 34 plus years I have (with complete confidence) recommended him to several families who were in a like situation as ourselves, he helped them all. They have all thanked me for sending them to a "jewel". He has helped all three of my remaining children with legal matters, as well as close friends. You can make all the "lawyer" jokes you want (and I have made my share), but I tell you Roger Messer is no "joke". He is compassionate, intelligent, gentle and kind, and he has a wonderful staff. He and his staff over the years have been very generous to the less fortunate in their community. Not only is Roger a very skilled lawyer, he is a wonderful family man, he was always there for his childrens sports and scholastic endeavors, he was a wonderful son to his mom, who he dearly loved and fulfilled her passion for fishing whenever he could. Not only is Roger Messer "my" lawyer-----I think of him as "my friend". I thank him from the bottom of my heart, not only for what he has done for my family, but for being a lawyer who will not and does not lower his standards, he is a lawyer for "victims", not the "bad guy".
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1.0
1 Reviews
20 Apr, 2017 by Jd
This guy should be disbarred. How he passed is beyond me. If you want to lose time and money hire him.
My closest friend is a real attorney in NYC and I showed him Steven Messer' conversations with me and he said I should contact the bar association. Guess what? I am very soon.
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What an Insurance Lawyer Can Do for You
An insurance lawyer specializes in legal issues related to insurance policies and claims. These lawyers help individuals, businesses, and insurance companies navigate disputes involving insurance coverage, claim denials, bad faith claims, and policy interpretation. Insurance lawyers can represent policyholders who feel they've been unfairly denied coverage, or they can work on behalf of insurance companies to defend against fraudulent or inflated claims.
Whether you're filing a claim, disputing a denial, or dealing with complex coverage issues, an insurance lawyer can provide critical guidance and legal representation to protect your rights and ensure you receive the benefits you're entitled to under your policy.
When Should I Hire an Insurance Lawyer?
Hiring an insurance lawyer is advisable in several situations, particularly when disputes arise over insurance coverage, claim denials, or bad faith actions. Common reasons to hire an insurance lawyer include:
- Denied insurance claims: If your insurance company denies your claim, a lawyer can help determine whether the denial was justified or if you should challenge the decision.
- Bad faith insurance practices: If you believe your insurer has acted in bad faith, such as delaying payment or failing to properly investigate your claim, a lawyer can help you pursue legal action.
- Underpaid claims: If the insurance company has offered less compensation than you believe your claim is worth, a lawyer can negotiate for a higher payout or file a lawsuit.
- Coverage disputes: When there's ambiguity or disagreement about what your policy covers, a lawyer can provide clarity and advocate for your rights under the policy.
- Business insurance claims: If you own a business and are dealing with commercial insurance claims (e.g., property damage, liability, or professional indemnity), a lawyer can help ensure your business receives proper coverage.
- Third-party claims: If you're being sued for liability and your insurance company refuses to defend or indemnify you, an insurance lawyer can help enforce your coverage rights.
- Appealing long-term disability claims: If your disability insurance claim has been denied, a lawyer can assist in gathering evidence and appealing the decision to get the benefits you deserve.
What Does an Insurance Lawyer Do?
An insurance lawyer provides a wide range of services to assist with insurance-related legal issues. These can include:
- Reviewing insurance policies: A lawyer can review your insurance policy to ensure you understand your rights and obligations, as well as clarify what coverage is provided.
- Filing insurance claims: Assisting with the preparation and filing of claims to ensure all necessary documentation is submitted correctly.
- Challenging claim denials: If your claim has been denied, a lawyer can investigate the reasons for denial and file appeals or lawsuits to challenge the decision.
- Litigating bad faith claims: Representing clients in bad faith insurance cases, where the insurer fails to act in good faith by unfairly delaying, denying, or underpaying a valid claim.
- Negotiating settlements: Helping policyholders negotiate settlements with insurance companies to receive fair compensation for claims.
- Defending against fraudulent claims: Representing insurance companies to defend against false or exaggerated claims filed by policyholders or third parties.
- Handling disputes over policy language: Interpreting complex insurance policies and resolving disputes between the insured and the insurer regarding coverage limits, exclusions, and conditions.
How Are Insurance Lawyers Paid?
Insurance lawyers typically charge for their services in different ways, depending on the nature of the case and the type of insurance issue involved. Common payment structures include:
- Contingency fee: For many policyholders disputing claim denials or underpayments, lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means the lawyer only gets paid if they win or settle the case, taking a percentage (usually between 25% and 40%) of the recovered amount.
- Hourly rate: For more complex or ongoing legal issues, such as bad faith lawsuits or business insurance disputes, insurance lawyers may charge an hourly rate. This rate varies depending on the lawyer’s experience and location.
- Flat fee: For simpler matters, such as reviewing an insurance policy or helping file a claim, some lawyers charge a flat fee for their services.
- Retainer: For businesses or clients with ongoing legal needs, an insurance lawyer may require a retainer fee, which is an upfront payment for future services.
It’s important to clarify the fee structure with your lawyer during the initial consultation to avoid unexpected costs.
How Much Does an Insurance Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring an insurance lawyer depends on the complexity of the case, the lawyer's experience, and the payment structure. General cost estimates include:
- Contingency fees: If your lawyer works on a contingency fee basis, you won’t pay any fees upfront, but the lawyer will take a percentage (typically 25% to 40%) of any settlement or judgment awarded.
- Hourly rates: Hourly rates for insurance lawyers generally range from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience and location. Complex cases involving bad faith or high-value business claims may require significant hours, leading to higher legal costs.
- Flat fees: For specific services, such as reviewing an insurance policy, lawyers may charge a flat fee ranging from $500 to $2,500, depending on the complexity of the task.
- Retainers: Businesses or individuals seeking ongoing insurance legal services may pay a retainer, which can range from $5,000 to $20,000 or more, depending on the lawyer and scope of work.
Make sure to discuss costs and payment structures with your lawyer before proceeding to understand how much the services will cost.
Top Questions to Ask an Insurance Lawyer
Before hiring an insurance lawyer, it’s important to ask the right questions to ensure they are the right fit for your case. Here are key questions to ask:
-
What experience do you have with insurance law?
Ensure the lawyer has specific experience handling cases involving your type of insurance, whether it’s auto, health, home, or business-related. -
How do you charge for your services?
Clarify whether the lawyer works on contingency, hourly rates, or flat fees, and ask for an estimate of the total cost of your case. -
What is your success rate with insurance disputes?
Ask about the lawyer’s track record in winning or settling cases similar to yours. -
What are my chances of success?
A good lawyer will provide an honest assessment of your case’s strengths and weaknesses and outline the possible outcomes. -
How long will the process take?
Get an estimate of how long it will take to resolve your claim or dispute, as some cases can extend over months or even years. -
Will you handle my case personally?
In larger firms, junior attorneys or paralegals may handle some aspects of your case. Make sure you know who will be managing your case.
How to Check the Credibility of an Insurance Lawyer
To ensure you’re hiring a reputable insurance lawyer, take the following steps to verify their credentials and experience:
- Verify their state bar license: Check with your state bar association to confirm the lawyer is licensed and in good standing with no disciplinary actions.
- Review their experience in insurance law: Look at the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in insurance law and have experience with cases like yours.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Search for reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to see what previous clients have said about the lawyer’s expertise and professionalism.
- Ask for references: A credible lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who have dealt with similar insurance issues.
- Check for industry memberships: Membership in organizations like the American Bar Association’s Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS) can indicate the lawyer’s focus on insurance law.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make the most out of your first consultation with an insurance lawyer, come prepared with the following documents and information:
- A copy of your insurance policy: Bring the policy related to your claim or dispute so the lawyer can review the coverage details.
- Any correspondence with the insurance company: Provide copies of letters, emails, or other communications between you and your insurer regarding the claim or denial.
- Proof of claim and supporting documents: Bring any documentation you have submitted with your claim, including receipts, invoices, photos, medical records, or repair estimates.
- List of questions: Prepare a list of questions you want to ask about your case, the legal process, and the potential outcomes.
- Timeline of events: Be ready to provide a clear timeline of the incident that led to the claim and any steps you’ve taken with your insurance company.
By preparing thoroughly for your consultation, you can ensure that the lawyer has all the information they need to assess your case and provide the best legal advice.
