Dallas Insurance Fraud Defense Lawyers

Under Investigation for Insurance Fraud in Texas?

Whether you suffered an injury in an accident or lost a home or business in a fire, you may be entitled to financial compensation through an insurance claim. The insurance payout is meant to cover medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and even pain and suffering, depending on the type of claim you filed and why.

However, you should be aware that completely honest and lawful conduct can be scrutinized as criminal activity if the insurance companies, in effort to curtail costs, make allegations that claimants are part of an insurance fraud scheme. 

At the Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC, we have more than three decades of experience defending against all types of state and federal fraud charges. If you have been accused of insurance fraud, contact our insurance fraud lawyers in Dallas as soon as possible to get started on your defense.

Call our firm today at (214) 238-9392 or send us a message online. We are available 24/7.

What is Insurance Fraud?

You can be accused of insurance fraud if your insurer believes you have provided them with any deceiving or misleading information regarding your insurance claim. For example, claims of overvaluing your finances to secure another mortgage on your home, or fabricating valuables you claim to have lost in a house fire can give rise to charges of insurance fraud. 

An insurance company is more likely to accuse you of insurance fraud if you have a string of insurance payouts for similar situations. However, to secure an insurance fraud conviction, it must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt in court that you have intentionally committed insurance fraud by deceiving your insurance provider or collecting a payout under fraudulent circumstances.

Insurance fraud can take a variety of different forms, which include:

• Unlicensed insurance
• Auto accident fraud
• Life and health insurance fraud against the elderly
• Healthcare fraud
• Workers’ compensation fraud
• Mortgage fraud

The party guilty of insurance fraud may include:

• Companies
• Agents
• Adjusters
• Doctors and hospitals
• Consumers

Texas Insurance Fraud Law & Penalties

Under Texas law, a person commits fraud if they intentionally mislead and insurance company or policy by submitting a faulty claim that knowingly contains a false statement or false information or when an individual attempts to receive benefits or solicits benefits from an insurance claim with the intent to defraud to the insurer.

The penalty for committing insurance fraud depends on the value of the claim. For example:

• Less than $50 in considered a Class C misdemeanor that may result in a fine up to $500
• More than $200,000 is a first degree felony punishable by a minimum of five years in prison

Who Investigates Insurance Fraud Schemes?

Both Texas and federal law enforcement agencies work for insurance companies on allegations of insurance fraud schemes. Insurance company investigators frequently contact federal special agents and local police and refer them allegations of fraudulent activity, especially in large insurance claim areas, such as after weather events or in the case of massive highway accidents.

Texas has also established the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) to investigate and report suspected insurance fraud in all its forms. As a result, prosecutors in Texas often pursue charges of this white-collar crime tenaciously, knowing they can rely on information and evidence collected by the TDI. 

Contact a Dallas Insurance Fraud Defense Attorney

Need a Dallas insurance fraud lawyer? Patrick McLain has over 30 years of experience defending people facing criminal charges in Texas and all over the world. Insurance fraud crimes require the help of experienced counsel and the Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC can help defend you in court. Patrick J. McLain is an experienced criminal defense attorney who has experience fighting all types of insurance fraud claims.

Contact the Law Office of Patrick J. McLain PLLC for an initial consultation. Our Dallas insurance fraud attorneys are eager to hear your side of the story and start building your defense. Our team is standing by to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (214) 238-9392.