Merlin Law Group

The devil's in the details of The National Flood Insurance Program regarding collection of amounts when there is a disagreement. https://hubs.ly/Q02Frgs50 #insurance #claims #policyholder

Happy Fourth of July! Our blog post today shares the history and significance of this most important date for our nation. https://hubs.ly/Q02FmL6J0 #IndependenceDay #July4th #USA

Happy Fourth of July! Our blog post today shares the history and significance of this most important date for our nation. https://hubs.ly/Q02FmrNg0 #IndependenceDay #July4th #USA

Our own Chip Merlin is presenting at next week’s P.L.A.N. Property Loss Appraiser & Umpire Certification Course in New Orleans. For class prep and practical lessons, see today’s blog post. https://hubs.ly/Q02Ff0Gn0 #appraisal #insurance #appraiser #umpire #claims

Calling all fellow property insurance coverage nerds! A recent appellate decision provides a great example of how to better argue ensuing loss exception. https://bit.ly/3xDbjrT #policyholder #law #claims #insurance

An unusual joint motion filed in Colorado. https://bit.ly/4cFshEP #policyholder #insurance #appraiser #appraisal #law

This week's Team Contender Derek Chaiken, Esq., a member of the Merlin Law Group Los Angeles team and five-year veteran of the firm, is a planner. As an experienced trial attorney who tirelessly advocates for justice on behalf of his clients, Derek stresses the need for pro-active practices. “People and companies need to rely on Merlin as experts, not just after a loss or years into litigation but ahead of time to plan and anticipate needs and how to address problems as they arise,” says Derek. “By specializing in insurance policyholder advocacy, we have the obligation to stay on top of changes in law and public trends. Merlin is made up of people who have committed their careers to achieving this goal.” Derek is one of those people, dedicating his practice to representing home and business owners in recovering compensation from their insurers and third parties when their property has been damaged. Derek has represented a wide array of clients, including homeowners, small and large business owners, schools, churches, product manufacturers, distributors, veterinarians, and surgical centers. He has recovered over $100 million in insurance benefits for his clients. He has had significant success litigating on behalf of his clients at mediation, appraisals, arbitration, and trial. As a result of his professional accomplishments, Derek was named a Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers “Rising Star” from 2019-2022 and a “Super Lawyer” in 2024. Derek graduated from the University of Michigan and the University of Detroit-Mercy School of Law. In law school, he served as a clerk for the Honorable Bernard A. Friedman in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Derek is licensed to practice law in all of the state and federal courts in California. He is a member of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA), and the Beverly Hills Bar Association. He has been a Keynote Speaker at the Pacific Coast Association of Public Insurance Adjusters, formerly known as the California Association of Public Insurance Adjusters, and a speaker on appraisal in California at the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters; a presenter of the CLE program, Handling and Litigating Wildfire Claims in California, Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB); and given multiple lectures on the use and liability of drones in property claim adjustments. #contenders #LosAngeles #team #MerlinLawGroup #policyholder #insurance #law

Happy National Insurance Awareness Day! Understanding your insurance coverage is crucial, especially when unexpected challenges arise. As The Policyholder's Advocate™, Merlin Law Group is committed to more than just navigating complex claims — we're actively involved in promoting and fighting for legislation to protect you, the policyholder. Understand your policy, understand your rights. #policyholder #NationalInsuranceAwarenessDay #insurance

Accountable adjuster accounting in today’s blog post. https://hubs.ly/Q02DHc6w0 #insurance #adjuster #law #claims

Shedding light on bifurcation as it relates to bad faith. https://hubs.ly/Q02DyhYX0 #badfaith #insurance #policyholder #claims