This was my first claim with Allstate (FL is a no-fault), a couple of weeks after I was the victim in a car accident. I was almost hit on the passenger door by a large van. I slammed on the brake and clutch very hard and held. I was hit only in front on the driver's side because I stopped fast enough.
Within a few days I was in intense pain in my leg, mostly the right leg, and my left arm (I assume it was caused by stiffening on the steering wheel). I tried treating it with a heat lamp, very long hot showers, etc. In the meantime, I received calls from Traveller's (the at-fault person's company) asking how I was. I told them my leg and arm hurt. I thought it would get better on its own.
When it was going on too bad and too long, I called every number I had for Allstate (my company, that I supposedly was 'in good hands' with). I kept calling and was given other numbers. I was on hold until my handset phone battery would run down. Over and over, I was in mind-bending pain all during this.
It took me reaching a lady there, asking her name, and telling her that both her name and Allstate's would be on my suicide note if I was not gotten to a doctor soon. I asked her to connect me with the correct person. She somewhat did.
I hobbled around to several doctors. It was hard to get in and out of my vehicle because of the pain in my leg and arm, and hard to drive. I was a nervous wreck that being distracted so badly by the pain would cause another accident, possibly with me at fault for a change, because I couldn't concentrate.
I can name the doctors I was finally sent to. One was an Allstate so-called doctor. I read the report of what I supposedly said, with either/or bad typos or words I did not use. While I sat there in pain, he wrote that nothing was wrong with me.
There was a round of doctors and physical therapy. A Dr. Kandell sent me to several of his buddies to drain my Personal Injury Protection of $10,000 as dry as he could. I finally ended up at a Dr. Hussey in Naples, who gives cortisone shots. This was after I repeatedly refused to take narcotic pain medication. I thought I would finally get relief from this. Perhaps two of them... And after three doctors who of course billed me to agree it would... Dr. Hussey acted as if I were a lunatic to be in his office. He said there was nothing wrong that he could help me with. End of that line of hope!
The only relief I got from the pain, and this is still true, is to stand in a hot shower running on my leg and my opposite-side arm when they are hurting.
Round two with Allstate: while still in mind-numbing pain, I noticed a tiny dark spot on the wall opposite my shower plumbing. Then I noticed the sheetrock felt damp. A contractor told me I have a tiny leak while my shower is on, between my walls. My shower walls, through to my adjoining den, are full of mold.
I reported this to Allstate while still so cranky with pain I was nuts. The Allstate adjuster told me that I was out of luck, more or less, because I had, and I quote, 'neglected my property' by not reporting it sooner.
I replied that I had neither glass walls nor X-ray vision and asked how I was supposed to know what went on between my walls. (Isn't that what insurance is for?)
Now, over 15 months later, I am still in pain, though I do have good days. I still have mold between my walls in my condo. I cannot use the master shower, and I am afraid of falling in the other bathroom (it has a tub and it is hard to get in and out, lifting my legs).
Anyone who has any company should take their policies immediately to an attorney they know and can trust and ask if this can happen to you. Allstate may not be the only one who never fails to bill but never wants to help you. Thank you so much, Allstate. When an uninsured motorist totaled my previous vehicle a few years back, you could not get them to pay, so you were going to have to. I got on the phone with the husband of the woman who demolished my car and diplomatically talked him into paying at least a little. It was not enough, considering I had to go find my present, now 15-year-old one, but at least my company was not out anything! This is the thanks I get?
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