Introduction
There has been no mathematical formula that has been invented that can be used to put a value on a personal injury case and hence anyone who suffers from such an incident usually relies on the services of a qualified lawyer. An experience lawyer gathers all the relevant information about a case and presents the argument to the insurance adjuster, a judge or a jury. But it is not always that the first person to arrive to your case will be a lawyer but most of the time it is an insurance adjuster who arrives first in a bid to take charge of the case. Hence the role played by an insurance adjuster is very important in any personal injury case.
Thesis statement
Due to the nature of importance of a personal injury, the role played by an insurance adjuster is very important in determining how an individual gets compensation. Therefore an insurance adjuster must hand the case following the code of ethics.
Who is an insurance adjuster?
An insurance adjuster is a professional negotiator who usually has extensive experience in dealing with claimant who sometimes is not represented by the attorney. They play a crucial role in representing the claimant in the criminal justice system. In their work they use an array of methods including intimidations, befriending and some psychological methods that will convince the clamant to accept the leas amount of money for the claim. Apparently they are paid for that work. (Fernadez, 2008)
Why should adjusters use ethics in their work?
There are many reasons why adjusters must practice ethics in their work. First they should realize that they are representing someone who is not very well conversant with the law or who is not in a position to represents themselves of be represented by the attorney and hence they must handle the case with utmost care. Ethics dictate them to help the client achieve what can help them recover from their injury rather than being to intimidate them. (Demayo, 2008)
Adjusters should also realize that the aim of the insurance is to pay the least amount to the claimant. This means that even if they are worksite for the insurance, there is a reasonable amount that the insurance can feel at ease paying the claimant. Hence they should not go for the least amount the will not benefit the claimant
They should also recognize that like the claimants, they can also get into the same situation and moral ethics dictate that don’t do to others what you would not like to be done unto you.
Adjusters should also realize that their role can be played in contrast by a lawyer and the level of professional shown by the lawyer results to bad name for the adjuster professionals. Though working for the insurance company, they should uphold their morals.
In case a person has been involved in a car accident, the insurance adjuster will rush to the scene even before other government officials have arrived. They will try to convince the victim to accept a certain payment with an aim of saving the insurance company from paying the legal amount they are supposed to pay. Hence this person will be at the mercy of the adjuster since they will be compensated less than they are supposed to be compensated. (Lanier Law Group, 2008)
Reference
Demayo, M. (2008). Insurance Adjusters. Law Offices of Michael A. DeMayo.
Fernandez, J. (2008). Insurance Adjusters. Personal Injury articles and resources.
Lanier Law Group, (2008). Beware: insurance companies are not looking out for you! Hire A Heavy Weight 1-888 Consult.