Photo of Steven V. Buckman

Steven V. Buckman practices in the field of insurance law litigating a variety of first-party and third-party actions including, but not limited to, bad faith, coverage questions, declaratory judgments, products liability, trucking insurance, fire and casualty, wrongful death, and catastrophic injury matters.

Fire4

Chimney fires are deadly and devastating to Oklahomans.

Every year fires take lives, homes, and businesses. The cost to the insurance industry is huge because insurance covers most types of fires.

One exception are fires that are intentionally set. Arson is a crime and no insurance policy will cover destroying property deliberately. Therefore, the cause

smileOklahoma insurance companies are expected to act in good faith. The law requires that claims be handled fairly. The Oklahoma Supreme court has said claims must be timely paid. The Oklahoma legislature passed the Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act that sets out minimum standards. Adjusters are required to act fairly and comply with Oklahoma law.

Fire has recently destroyed numerous business properties and completely shutting down their business operations. The damage is extensive. Almost like death, it is eerie to see businesses in full operation one day are totally stopped the next day.

Flames tore through the Great Smoky Mountains, killing at least three people, scorching hundreds of homes

The losses caused by the recent fire are tragic. The number of families affected by the loss of loved ones continues to grow. Countless people have lost friends, co-workers, and been impacted by the lives claimed. The loss of human life carries grief and brings an emotional pain that is impossible to articulate. The fire

Confused

We have pointed out in the past that many people don’t speak the language of “insurance”.

No different than medicine, the insurance industry has terms and words that have a specific meaning. If you don’t speak the language, then you don’t understand what was said.

An apartment complex owner learned this lesson the hard way.