The Rundown: 11/14/17
Auto Repairs, National Arbitration Fight, Hurricane Harvey, #StandForTheSeventh, Great Reporting and Friends in the Fight
Safety
Episode 20: Fighting for Safer Auto Repairs
When Marcia and Mathew Seebachan bought their Honda Fit in 2013, they did their homework. But, nothing told them that the car had been previously repaired for hail damage to its roof or that those repairs did not meet manufacturer standards. That shoddy repair work turned out to be pivotal when just four months later, they were struck head-on by a Toyota Tundra truck hydroplaning out of control.
This month, we talked to Marcia about her fight for justice and holding the repair shop and insurance company accountable in court.
Fighting for Safer Auto Repairs
The fight for safety took a major step forward yesterday.
The Rundown: 10/20/17
Statement on Don Willett
For immediate release
Texas Supreme Court Justice Don Willett is being nominated for a spot on the federal 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Texas Watch Executive Director Ware Wendell released the following statement:
Valid Concerns on Valid Claims
The threat to property owners filing insurance claims in the wake of Hurricane Harvey is real. Earlier this year, the Texas Legislature passed HB 1774, which reduces incentives for insurance companies to pay claims on time and in full. More aptly referred to as the Blue Tarp Bill, the legislation prolongs the rebuilding process for communities and keeps blue tarps on roofs longer.
Harvey FAQs
Texas has suffered a heavy blow from Hurricane Harvey. This disaster will continue to unfold in the weeks and months ahead as Texans try to put their lives back together and rebuild. Laws pushed by the insurance industry through the years will make this process very difficult. Too often, insurance companies deny, delay, and underpay valid claims in an effort to pad their profits. Dangerous and misguided laws in Texas strengthen the hand of insurance companies even more in property damage disputes.
Press Statement on Request for TDI Investigation into Insurance Industry’s Auto Repair Practices
For Immediate Release
Texas Watch requested Thursday that the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) investigate the insurance industry’s corner cutting automobile repairs. The request urges TDI to take vigorous enforcement action to discourage the practice and uphold the agency’s statutory duty to “protect and ensure the fair treatment of consumers.”
Deputy Director Tori Sommerman released the following statement:
Texas Watch Requests TDI Investigation into Insurance Industry’s Auto Repair Practices
In light of recent reporting (here, here, and here) on the insurance industry’s corner cutting on automobile repairs, Texas Watch has requested
"Patient Death Act" Passes U.S. House
The U.S. House of Representatives voted yesterday 218-210 in favor of H.R. 1215, more aptly referred to as the Patient Death Act. The bill puts road blocks in the way of justice for injured patients and their families and greatly reduces accountability for unsafe hospitals and incompetent doctors. We've tried restrictive laws like this in Texas, and the results have been tragic for patients.