Many times, just after a wreck, an insurance adjuster will call the victim of the wreck. The property damage will be their “first priority” – as it should be – and they will act as nice as they can. They will act like they care about the injuries the person suffered and share stories of their own woes. They will make every effort to connect , promising that they can help. They will then ask for a recorded statement, a release and then start talking about how to resolve the injury case – now.
Over the years I have seen this scenario played out many times here in Columbus and elsewhere. Recently, a lady came to see me after trying to work with those “nice people “ at the insurance company adjustment office. She gave statements, provided releases for medical records, provided letters from her doctors explaining the life changing situation she was faced with as a result of the wreck and – after almost 2 years ( on the eve of her statue of limitations running out) - she was told “ you were already sick – you already had problems – your case has no value”.
We will file suit immediately to preserve the case and tell the story to someone other than the adjuster.
The whole episode reminded me of a parable which goes something like this:
A turtle is swimming in a lake minding his own business.
He then heard a whistle from the beach.
A scorpion was trying to get his attention and waved to him to come closer.
The turtle swam toward the beach and looked at the scorpion knowing he was a very dangerous creature.
The scorpion yelled to him, “Hey turtle – would you mind helping me get to the other side of the lake. I just need a little help.”
The turtle replied, “And how would I do that?”
The scorpion then said, “I will jump on your back and you can swim to the other side.”
The turtle said, “Are you crazy? You will sting me and I will die!”
The scorpion says, “Why would I do that? We would both die. And if you do this favor for me – I will shout your name from the treetops of what a good person you are.”
So the turtle says to himself, “That this makes sense and I could use a little positive publicity.”
So the turtle swims towards the beach and has the scorpion jump on his back, and starts to swim across the lake.
Halfway across the lake he feels a sting in his neck.
He turns to the scorpion and says, “You stung me! We’re both going to die!! Why would you do it??”
The scorpion’s simple reply, “I’m a scorpion. I sting. Thats what I do!”
Moral – when you connect with a scorpion that says, “I will help you, I wont hurt you. As a matter of fact, I will promote you,” BEWARE!!!
