During the course of your injury claim negotiations, you may be told or promised something, or given some information that you want to make sure is not later denied or changed. These kinds of conversations can be with almost anyone involved in your claim -- the other party, an insurance adjuster, an attorney, or others.
Regardless of who you spoke with, if you have any inkling at all that you'd like to preserve a record of what was said, immediately after the conversation you should send a letter confirming what the person told you. The letter does not have to be elaborate, just a brief restatement of what was said. Be sure to make a copy for your own files before you send it.
To help you get started, a sample confirming letter is shown below. You can follow this format for almost any important (or seemingly important) piece of information to make sure that it's part of the "paper trail" in your claim.
Paula Thompson
23 Broadway
Anytown, Anystate 12345
January 2, 20xx
Mr. Clarence Smolten
Claims Adjuster
Do Right Insurance Company
Thiscity, Thisstate 54321
.
Re: Claimant: Paula Thompson
Insured: Rocky Polletto
Claim No. 3244949Kl00
Date of Loss: September 9, 20xx
Dear Mr. Smolten:
This letter is to confirm our telephone discussion of January 2, 20xx in which you informed me that you would be making me an offer of settlement on behalf of the Do Right Insurance Company no later than January 15, 20xx.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely yours,
[signature]
Paula Thompson
If you're negotiating an accident claim, see the articles we have filed under Settle Your Personal Injury Claim. You'll find lots of practical information to help ensure you get the best settlement possible.
This article is an excerpt from How to Win Your Personal Injury Claim by Attorney Joseph Matthews (Nolo)