Stratton Faxon, Connecticut\u2019s firm for trial law, wishes to even the playing field for consumers \u2013 at last.<\/p>\n
Connecticut trial lawyers are lobbying for legislation that would streamline the efforts of consumers in the state, seeking redress from insurers for unfair claims practices.<\/p>\n
The insurance industry is not pleased.<\/p>\n
The bill, advocated by the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association and Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, would allow accident victims to sue a wrongdoer\u2019s insurance company under the Connecticut Unfair Insurance Practices Act (CUIPA).<\/p>\n
At present, this isn\u2019t possible as only the insurance commissioner and the attorney general can bring an action under the law. The bill would also remove a phrase from the law that defines a violation as something an insurer does wrong \u201cwith such frequency as to indicate a general business practice.\u201d The phrase makes it almost impossible for a consumer to show such a pattern, according to the Lawyer\u2019s Association.<\/p>\n