End-of-Year Insurance Tactics: How New Jersey Insurers Delay or Deny Injury Claims Before January

November 19, 2025

As the calendar winds down, many New Jersey injury victims find themselves facing an unexpected obstacle: not just recovery, but resistance from insurers. Whether you were struck as a pedestrian in Newark, injured in a construction accident in Linden, or hurt in a slip and fall at a Cranford business, the timing of your claim matters more than you think.

At Bramnick, Grabas, Arnold & Mangan, LLC, we’ve seen firsthand how insurers use the end-of-year period to delay, deny, or devalue legitimate personal injury claims in Union County and across New Jersey. Here’s what you need to know, and how to protect yourself before January arrives.

Why the End of the Year Matters to Insurance Companies

Insurance carriers operate on fiscal calendars. As December approaches, they are under pressure to reduce liabilities, close out claims, and protect profit margins. That often means:

Delaying claim reviews to push payouts into the next fiscal year.
Offering low settlement amounts to entice desperate claimants.
Denying claims on technicalities in hopes that victims won’t fight back.

These aren’t just frustrating stall tactics. They are profit-driven tactics designed to protect insurers’ bottom lines at the expense of injury victims already struggling with medical bills, lost wages, and emotional stress.

Common Delay Tactics Used by New Jersey Insurers

If you’ve filed a New Jersey personal injury claim, watch for these red flags:

“We’re still reviewing your documentation.” Even when you’ve submitted everything, insurers may claim they need more time.
“We need additional medical records.” Requests for irrelevant or excessive documentation create slowdowns while your bills continue to pile up.
“We’re waiting on third-party evaluations.” Outside reviews or internal committees are often cited to justify inaction, particularly in more complex cases like premises liability claims or NJ highway accidents involving multiple vehicles.
“We’ll revisit this after the holidays.” A classic stall tactic: by pushing your claim into January, insurers reset their financial exposure and delay your recovery.

Denial Strategies to Watch For

Some insurers don’t just stall; they deny claims outright. The bad faith insurance practices most often seen in New Jersey include:

Blaming pre-existing conditions by arguing your injury wasn’t caused by the accident.
Disputing liability by claiming their insured wasn’t at fault, even when evidence says otherwise.
Alleging missing paperwork, even if you submitted everything correctly.

These tactics peak in late November and December, when claimants are often distracted by holidays or overwhelmed by financial stress. Our attorneys regularly challenge these denial strategies in courts across Union, Essex, Middlesex, and Somerset Counties, protecting victims throughout New Jersey.

What New Jersey Law Says About Timely Insurance Claims

Under New Jersey law, insurers must act promptly when reviewing claims, often within 30 days of receiving proper proof of loss. N.J.S.A. 17:29B-4 prohibits unfair claims settlement practices, while other statutes address prompt payment obligations in specific contexts.

The Bottom Line: Insurers cannot stall indefinitely without risking a violation of state law. But enforcement isn’t automatic. You need a legal team that knows how to hold insurers accountable and how to escalate your case when they stall.

How Bramnick Law Fights Back

Our Union County personal injury lawyers don’t wait for insurers to play fair. We act quickly to:

Document every delay and build a timeline of bad faith.
Demand compliance with New Jersey insurance laws.
Negotiate aggressively to secure fair compensation.
File suit when necessary to force resolution.

At Bramnick, Grabas, Arnold & Mangan, LLC, our team includes Certified Civil Trial Attorneys, a distinction held by fewer than 2% of New Jersey lawyers. This credential underscores our readiness to take cases to trial when insurers refuse to negotiate fairly.

We have recovered millions for injury victims across Union County and throughout New Jersey. Whether your claim involves a car accident, slip and fall, workplace injury, or medical negligence, we know how to cut through insurer tactics and get results.

Why Timing Is Critical for Union County Personal Injury Victims

Across Union County communities, insurers often use local familiarity to their advantage. They know which courts move slowly, which adjusters are overloaded, and which victims may feel pressured to give up.

That is why local representation matters. Our attorneys know the judges, the insurers, and the strategies that work in Union County. We don’t just file claims; we build cases that win.

What Happens if You Wait Too Long to File a NJ Personal Injury Claim

Delays are dangerous. If you wait too long to act, you risk:

Losing leverage in negotiations.
Missing critical evidence, such as surveillance footage or witness statements.
Running into the statute of limitations, which is two years from the date of injury.

Even if your claim is valid, insurers will use every delay to weaken your position. Don’t let them.

What You Should Do Right Now If Your Personal Injury Claim is Delayed

If you’ve been injured and your claim is stalled, or you haven’t filed yet, take these steps immediately:

Gather all documentation, including medical records, accident reports, and correspondence with insurers.
Track communication delays, including dates, excuses, and missed deadlines.
Avoid speaking to adjusters alone, as they are trained to minimize payouts.
Speak with an experienced New Jersey personal injury attorney. The sooner you retain legal counsel, the stronger your case.

At Bramnick, Grabas, Arnold & Mangan, LLC, we offer free consultations and handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win.

Contact Our New Jersey Personal Injury Attorneys Before the Year Ends

If your injury claim is being delayed, denied, or devalued, don’t wait until January to take action. The clock is ticking, and insurers know it.

Let our experienced attorneys fight for the compensation you deserve. We serve clients across Union County and throughout New Jersey, with offices in Scotch Plains, Clifton, Cherry Hill, and Newark. Whether you’re at home, in the hospital, or unsure where to turn, we’re here for you 24/7.

Disclaimer: The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.