April 30, 2025 | JacobiJournal.com — Heritage sues adjuster: Heritage Property & Casualty Insurance Co. has filed a libel and defamation lawsuit against independent adjuster Jordan Lee, just weeks after his appearance on 60 Minutes accusing Heritage of manipulating hurricane damage reports.
Lee’s attorney, John Tolley, fired back, calling the Heritage sues adjuster case a retaliatory strike against whistleblowers. “Jordan Lee acted courageously to shine a light on systemic misconduct,” Tolley said. “This lawsuit is an attack not just on him, but on every Floridian who relies on fair insurance practices after a disaster.”
Lee’s Allegations: Altered Estimates and Silenced Voices
In a September 2024 broadcast of 60 Minutes, Lee claimed that Heritage and other insurers routinely slashed independent adjusters’ damage estimates to minimize claim payouts after Hurricane Ian.
“I handled 46 of them; 44 of them were changed,” Lee told CBS. Some claims, he said, were reduced by as much as 98%.
The controversy began in late 2022 when Lee and two other adjusters testified before a Florida House committee, accusing insurers of altering their reports without consent. The revised reports made it appear as though the original adjusters had recommended the lower figures.
Heritage’s Side: Inflated Claims and Alleged Misconduct
Heritage responded by filing a complaint in Hillsborough County Circuit Court, alleging that Lee deliberately inflated estimates to increase his commission-based compensation. The suit also claims that Lee violated policy guidelines by favoring replacement costs over repairs and failing to document damage properly.
According to Heritage’s complaint, “When his misconduct was uncovered and his estimates were corrected, Defendant did not receive the compensation he expected. Consequently, Defendant returned to Texas and began falsely and publicly alleging that Plaintiff intentionally reduced his estimates.”
The insurer argues that a third-party administrator had to spend considerable time revising Lee’s reports to align them with actual damage, policy terms, and coverage limits.
Legal Experts and Whistleblower Concerns
Despite Heritage’s assertions, legal experts view the lawsuit with skepticism. Bob Jarvis, a law professor at Nova Southeastern University, said the suit likely aims to intimidate rather than win.
“This lawsuit will bankrupt Jordan Lee, even if he wins,” Jarvis stated. “The message is clear: whistleblowers beware.”
Tolley agreed, calling it a “blatant attempt to silence and punish not only Jordan but other potential whistleblowers for doing or attempting to do the right thing.”
Financial Fallout and Ongoing Investigations
Following the 60 Minutes segment, Heritage’s stock dipped sharply. However, it has since rebounded, reaching a nine-year high, according to Yahoo! Finance.
In 2022, Florida’s then-Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis promised an investigation into insurer practices related to Hurricane Ian claims. As of now, that investigation has not produced any public findings.
Heritage CEO Ernie Garateix responded to the initial wave of allegations last fall, saying: “Third-party field adjusters, like Jordan Lee, always have to collaborate with those higher up. The company Lee worked for during Hurricane Ian is no longer in business.”
He also clarified that some desk adjuster names were omitted from final reports due to software issues, and that some revised estimates actually increased, benefiting homeowners.
What’s Next
Attorney Gregory Kehoe of Greenberg Traurig is representing Heritage. He declined to comment on the pending litigation. Tolley has not yet filed a formal answer or motion to dismiss.
The Heritage lawsuit accuses Lee of libel, slander, defamation, and fraud, and seeks monetary damages and legal fees.
The amended complaint can be seen here.
FAQs: Heritage Sues Adjuster Lawsuit
What is the Heritage sues adjuster lawsuit about?
The lawsuit centers on Heritage’s claim that Jordan Lee made false public statements on 60 Minutes, accusing the insurer of altering hurricane damage reports.
Why is the Heritage sues adjuster case significant?
The case highlights tensions between insurers and independent adjusters, raising broader concerns about whistleblower protections in Florida’s insurance industry.
What could be the outcome of the Heritage sues adjuster case?
If Heritage wins, Lee could face significant financial damages. If Lee prevails, it may strengthen whistleblower protections and increase scrutiny on insurer practices.
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