Bad Faith Insurance Attorneys Who Hold Carriers Accountable

Insurance exists to protect people in moments of vulnerability — after a home is destroyed, a loved one is injured, or a business faces catastrophic loss. But too often, carriers delay, deny, or undervalue valid claims not out of error, but out of strategy. When insurers put profits before policyholders, it’s not just unethical — it may be bad faith, and it’s grounds for legal action.

At Ratliff Jackson LLP, we represent individuals and businesses across New Jersey and Pennsylvania who have been mistreated by insurance companies. Whether you’re facing unjust claim denials, endless delays, or pressure to settle for less than what your policy guarantees, our attorneys know how to respond — and how to win.

What Is Insurance Bad Faith?

Bad faith occurs when an insurance company violates its duty to act fairly and honestly with the people it insures. This legal duty is implied in every insurance contract, whether it’s for health, auto, property, disability, life, or business interruption coverage.

Common bad faith actions include:

• Unreasonably denying a valid claim
• Delaying payment without justification
• Failing to investigate a claim thoroughly or promptly
• Misrepresenting policy language or coverage
• Lowballing a settlement offer with no legitimate basis
• Refusing to defend a policyholder in a lawsuit

When insurers engage in these tactics, they expose themselves to more than just the value of the original claim — they may owe punitive damages, attorney’s fees, and compensation for emotional distress or consequential financial harm.

We Take on Major Carriers

Our firm is not intimidated by billion-dollar insurers or their legal departments. We litigate against major national and regional insurance companies, and we do it with a clear strategy: compel transparency, force accountability, and recover every dollar our client is owed — plus more when bad faith is proven.

We handle bad faith litigation involving:

• Homeowners insurance (fire, flood, storm, theft)
• Auto and UM/UIM insurance claims
• Business interruption and commercial property coverage
• Health and disability policy disputes
• Life insurance denials and beneficiary claims

These cases are high-stakes, fact-intensive, and often hard-fought — and that’s where we thrive.

We’re not just personal injury lawyers — we’re trial lawyers. That distinction matters. Insurers are far more likely to negotiate seriously when they know you’re represented by a firm willing and able to take them to court.

Our process includes:

• Immediate review of your claim file, policy, and carrier communications
• Discovery of internal claims handling practices and patterns
• Identification of statutory and contractual violations
• Aggressive pursuit of compensatory and punitive damages under state bad faith laws

We don’t play the delay game — we push cases forward with purpose, leveraging your rights under the New Jersey Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act, Pennsylvania’s Bad Faith Statute (§8371), and all applicable common law doctrines.

Frequently Asked Questions: Insurance Bad Faith

How do I know if my insurer is acting in bad faith?

If your claim is being delayed without clear reason, repeatedly undervalued, or denied despite supporting documentation, your insurer may be acting in bad faith. We can assess the situation and determine if legal action is appropriate.

What damages can I recover in a bad faith lawsuit?

In addition to the value of your original claim, you may be entitled to punitive damages, compensation for emotional distress, legal fees, and consequential financial losses caused by the delay or denial.

Can I sue even if my claim was eventually paid?

Yes. If the insurer delayed or manipulated the process in bad faith — even if they eventually paid — you may still have grounds to sue for the harm caused during that period.

What laws protect policyholders in NJ and PA?

New Jersey recognizes common law bad faith and prohibits unfair claim practices. Pennsylvania has a specific bad faith statute (§8371) that allows courts to award punitive damages and attorney fees.

How long do I have to file a bad faith claim?

In New Jersey, most bad faith claims must be filed within six years; in Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations is generally two years. However, timelines vary based on the facts — don’t wait to get legal advice.

Forced to Fight Your Own Insurer? We’ll Fight Back for You.

If your insurance company has turned its back on you when you needed help the most, legal action may be your only way forward. At Ratliff Jackson LLP, we don’t tolerate unethical insurer behavior — we challenge it.

Call us today at 856-209-3111 or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential case evaluation. You only pay if we recover for you.