In The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on August 22, 2007, D.L. Bennet wrote about a terrible intrusion of privacy when Progressive Insurance paid private investigators to spy on their own insured [Bill and Lenadra Pitts] while they were in at their church and in a church small support group. Mr. and Mrs. Pitts had a pending lawsuit to attempt to recover under their under-insured motorist coverage. Progressivc Insurance apparently took the low road in an incredible way by paying private investigators to join a church small group support group to spy on Mr. and Mrs. Pitts. Progressive’s hope was that Mr. and Mrs. Pitts might say or do something that would hurt their pending personal injury claim. This was a horrible invasion of their privacy for this small support church group which the article says made the church members feel violated. This is a great example of the aggressive tactics of insrance companies to reduce the settlement amounts by any means necessary. The article further stated that The Atlanta attorney representing the Pitts filed a lawsuit last week per the article for invasion of privacy, breach of confidentiality, emotional distress, and fraud among other issues. It is my hope that this lawsuit is successful to discourage this aggressive and intimidating use of private investigators to even storm the sanctity of the church.
This is extremely apaulling that an insurance company would pay private investigators to spy at this couple at their church and in the church’s small support group. The article noted that the pastor was very angry and concerned that his congregation will not trust that the Church and the small support groups are safe and confidential.
Richard S. Griffin of The Griffin Law Firm, has seen insurance companies use private investigators to catch the claimants going to the grocery store, gardening, running errands, etc. These tapes can be devastating to a case because the video often does not show how much pain the Claimant was in after attempting to engage in the activities of life. It is unfair that insurance companies will manipulate the system by making Claimants appear to be faking their injures when they simply do what life requires them to do to keep living. The argument to the use of private investigators is that it can be very affective and revealing people who are faking or exagerating their injures.
If you or someone you know has been injured, you owe yourself the favor of hiring an experienced injury attorney. Insurance companies have their lawyers and their adjusters are fighting hard to pay as little as possible on your claim. Hire us to even the playing field, to protect your rights, and to get you the settlement you deserve!
Richard S. Griffin - richard@griffinlawfirmpc.com
