ZIFL Volume 28, Issue 11
https://lnkd.in/g4ZCBiis, See the full article at https://lnkd.in/g2VXQMY3, https://lnkd.in/g4ZCBiis, see the full video at https://lnkd.in/gga7T4QM and at https://lnkd.in/gADfWipg and https://zalma.com/blog plus more than 4800 posts.
Read the article and the full 26 page issue here in Adobe pdf format http://zalma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ZIFL-06-01-2024.pdf.
The Source for the Insurance Fraud Professional
Zalma’s Insurance Fraud Letter (ZIFL) continues its 28th year of publication dedicated to those involved in reducing the effect of insurance fraud. ZIFL is published 24 times a year by ClaimSchool and is written by Barry Zalma. It is provided FREE to anyone who visits the site at http://zalma.com/zalmas-insurance-fraud-letter-2/ This issue contains the following articles:
The Scope of Loss
When dealing with a potential fraudulent first party-property loss it is essential that the investigation into the claim is through and prompt. To do a thorough investigation of a property loss it is essential that the insured and the company’s adjuster agree to a complete scope of loss so that the investigation into the amount of the loss is prepared and agreed to in immediately.
In a loss to structures or contents the scope of loss is generated at the first meeting between the adjuster and the insured. The scope of loss is where both parties agree on the categories of property damaged.
Read the article and the full 26 page issue here in Adobe pdf format http://zalma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ZIFL-06-01-2024.pdf.
More McClenny Moseley & Associates Issues
This is ZIFL’s twenty ninth installment of the saga of McClenny, Moseley & Associates and its problems with the federal courts in the State of Louisiana and what appears to be an effort to profit from what some Magistrate and District judges indicate may be criminal conduct to profit from insurance claims relating to hurricane damage to the public of the state of Louisiana.
April 26, 2024 – MMA Generated Lawsuits Dismissed
Read the article and the full 26 page issue here in Adobe pdf format http://zalma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ZIFL-06-01-2024.pdf.
Insureds are Made More Equal Than Insurers
California Court of Appeals Extends Meaning of Statute to Make Insured More Powerful than Insurers at EUO
As George Orwell explained in his novel “Animal Farm” we are all equal, but some are more equal than others. In Vladimir Myasnyankin v. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, A166946, A167445, California Court of Appeals, First District, Fifth Division (January 30, 2024) the Court of Appeals decided, over the dissent of the Presiding Judge that the insured in a disputed claim is more equal than the insurer.
Read the article and the full 26 page issue here in Adobe pdf format http://zalma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ZIFL-06-01-2024.pdf.
New Book
The Compact Book of Adjusting Property Claims – Fourth Edition
In Kindle, paperback and hardback formats, The Compact Book of Adjusting Property Claims, Fourth Edition is now available for purchase here and here. The Fourth Edition contains updates and clarifications from the first three editions plus additional material for the working adjuster and the insurance coverage lawyer.
Read the article and the full 26 page issue here in Adobe pdf format http://zalma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ZIFL-06-01-2024.pdf.
Health Insurance Fraud Convictions
The federal prosecutors and courts have been busy prosecuting health insurance fraud.
Doctor, One of Top Prescribers of Opioids in Massachusetts, Is Sentenced
Dr. Olarewaju James Oladipo, of Canton, a Massachusetts, an orthopedic surgeon who prosecutors say was one of the top prescribers of opioid drugs in the state was sentenced in federal court in Boston for his role in a health care fraud scheme.
Oladipo was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to 16 months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release. In December 2023, Oladipo was convicted by a federal jury of 10 counts of health care fraud.
Read the article and the full 26 page issue here in Adobe pdf format http://zalma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ZIFL-06-01-2024.pdf.
New Book Now Available from Barry Zalma
Property Investigation Checklists: Uncovering Insurance Fraud, 14th Edition
Read the article and the full 26 page issue here in Adobe pdf format http://zalma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ZIFL-06-01-2024.pdf.
Other Insurance Fraud Convictions
Tennessee Man Sentenced to Over 3 Years in Federal Prison for Crop Insurance Fraud
David Garrett Manion, 61, of Lafayette, Tennessee, was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $3.5 million in restitution for defrauding the federal crop insurance program.
According to court documents, Manion was convicted for defrauding the federal crop insurance program between 2016 and 2022. Manion also has a prior 2016 conviction for defrauding the federal crop insurance program. As part of that 2016 case, Manion agreed to a five-year debarment from the federal crop insurance program administered by the United States Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency.
While that case was being resolved, however, Manion devised a scheme under which other family members applied for and received crop insurance for tobacco that was farmed by and belonged to Manion. In addition to $3.5 million in criminal restitution, Manion agreed to pay the Risk Management Agency nearly $5.5 million to resolve other outstanding issues.
Read the article and the full 26 page issue here in Adobe pdf format http://zalma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ZIFL-06-01-2024.pdf.
(c) 2024 Barry Zalma & ClaimSchool, Inc.
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Read the article and the full 26 page issue here in Adobe pdf format http://zalma.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ZIFL-06-01-2024.pdf.
Please tell your friends and colleagues about this blog and the videos and let them subscribe to the blog and the videos.
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Read the article and the full 26 page issue here in Adobe pdf format https://lnkd.in/g2VXQMY3.
Happy Law Day
ZIFL – Volume 30, Issue 9 – May 1, 2026
Read the full article at https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/zalmas-insurance-fraud-letter-may-1-2026-barry-zalma-esq-cfe-2tywc, see the video at at and at https://zalma.com/blog plus more than 5300 posts.
THE SOURCE FOR THE INSURANCE FRAUD PROFESSIONAL
ZIFL – Volume 30, Issue 9 – May 1, 2026
Zalma’s Insurance Fraud Letter (ZIFL) continues its 30th year of publication dedicated to those involved in reducing the effect of insurance fraud. ZIFL is published 24 times a year and is written by Barry Zalma.
DOJ Creates National Fraud Enforcement Division
Will the Feds Take on Insurance Fraud? Possibly as Part of a National Anti-Fraud Effort
On April 7, 2026, the Acting Attorney General, Todd Blanche, issued a memorandum establishing the Department of Justice National Fraud Enforcement Division (NFED). The memo describes an ambitious, but perhaps redundant, vision for this ...
When Abalone Died As a Result of Multiple Causes The Efficient Proximate Cause Requires Payment
Post number 5345
Read the full article at https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/efficient-proximate-cause-doctrine-saves-claim-barry-zalma-esq-cfe-yndlc, see the video at and at and at https://zalma.com/blog plus more than 5300 posts.
In American Abalone Farms, LLC v. Star Insurance Company et al., H052643, California Court of Appeals, Sixth District (April 27, 2026) the Court of Appeals dealt with an insurance coverage issue that required application of the efficient proximate cause doctrine.
FACTS
American Abalone Farms, LLC ("American Abalone" ) operates an aquaculture farm in Santa Cruz County, California, raising abalone in tanks. In August 2020, the CZU Lightning Complex Fires led to a prolonged power outage and road closures near the farm. As a result, the farm’s water pumps failed, causing the death of most of the ...
Breach of a Specific Condition Precedent Is a Complete Defense
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In United Services Automobile Association and State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company v. Anthony Wenzell, 2026 CO 25 (Colo. Apr. 27, 2026) Anthony Wenzell was rear-ended in a car accident. He had a significant prior 2014 accident that required back surgery.
Wenzell claimed underinsured-motorist (UIM) benefits under three policies: (1) the tortfeasor’s liability policy, (2) his own primary UIM policy with State Farm, and (3) an excess UIM policy issued by USAA (under his brother’s policy, which contained an “other insurance” clause making USAA’s coverage excess over any collectible insurance).
After receiving the claims, both USAA and State Farm repeatedly requested that Wenzell execute comprehensive medical-release authorizations so they could obtain his full medical records and ...
It is Fraud to Make the Same Claim Twice
Read the full article at https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/fraud-make-same-claim-twice-barry-zalma-esq-cfe-c4g8c and at https://zalma.com/blog.
Chutzpah: After Being Paid for a New Roof Insured Makes Second Claim For Same Damages
Post number 5347
No One is Entitled to be Paid for the Same Loss Twice
In Mohammed Ali Khalili v. State Farm Lloyds, No. 14-25-00611-CV, Court of Appeals of Texas (April 30, 2026) Khalili maintained a State Farm Lloyds homeowners insurance policy for decades. In 2008 he filed a roof-damage claim; State Farm paid him to replace the entire roof (shingles and gutters). Khalili never replaced the roof and repeated his claim.
BACKGROUND
In 2021 he filed a second roof claim. State Farm’s inspectors found the roof “very old” with extensive non-storm-related damage. The claim was denied because (1) the damage did not exceed the deductible and (2) State Farm had already paid for a full roof replacement.
PROCEDURAL HISTORY
State Farm filed motion for summary...
It is Fraud to Make the Same Claim Twice
Read the full article at https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/fraud-make-same-claim-twice-barry-zalma-esq-cfe-c4g8c and at https://zalma.com/blog.
Chutzpah: After Being Paid for a New Roof Insured Makes Second Claim For Same Damages
Post number 5347
No One is Entitled to be Paid for the Same Loss Twice
In Mohammed Ali Khalili v. State Farm Lloyds, No. 14-25-00611-CV, Court of Appeals of Texas (April 30, 2026) Khalili maintained a State Farm Lloyds homeowners insurance policy for decades. In 2008 he filed a roof-damage claim; State Farm paid him to replace the entire roof (shingles and gutters). Khalili never replaced the roof and repeated his claim.
BACKGROUND
In 2021 he filed a second roof claim. State Farm’s inspectors found the roof “very old” with extensive non-storm-related damage. The claim was denied because (1) the damage did not exceed the deductible and (2) State Farm had already paid for a full roof replacement.
PROCEDURAL HISTORY
State Farm filed motion for summary...
What Must be Done after Notice of a Claim is Received by the Insurer
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A first party property policy does not insure property: it insures a person, partnership, corporation or other entity against the risk of loss of the property. Before an insured can make a claim for indemnity under a policy of first party property insurance the insured must prove that there was damage to property the risk of loss of which was insured by the policy. The obligation imposed on the insured ...
