question on slip and fall case

[Chris Masons]

[b]
Hi guys,

I have someone who is trying to sue me in regards to a slip and fall incident who claim they fell on my steps going to basement.

I do NOT think this person has a leg to stand on as this person is a liar, a drunk and many other things. there is NO negligance on my part and I have a pregenant woman and a 68 year old women going up and down the same stairs daily.

However with that being said, I am reluctant to go to my Homeowners insurance policy with this issue for fear of them raising my rates or possibily dropping me. (even upon a success defense)

I am curious to know what other people's experience are if any when this has happened and you went through your insurance company to fight it and end up winning - which I am 99.99% sure would be the end result. However I don't want to risk them raising my rates due to this type of claim.

In a nut shell all I am asking is in a case where you had to go through your insurance to have them fight a claim and you end up winning is there still a possibily of your rates being raised or dropped?

Do I have the option to fight this on my own? I am THAT confident that he does not have a case. This is a guy who use to do some od jobs for me around one of my properties. HE actually went to one of my tenants and tried to bribe them to say she saw him fall and that he would pay her part of the proceeds he won.

I currently have great rate on my insurance policy and do not want to put that at risk for something stupid and meaningless as this claim.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

regards,
Chris