Zurich is testing robots to speed up claims processing, according to a Reuters news story. The global insurer is applying artificial intelligence (AI) to evaluate personal injury claims, the bread and butter business for many Zurich panel counsel law firms. Pilot tests of AI software systems have reduced the processing time for personal injury claims […]
Trucking Giants Knight & Swift to Merge
Knight Transportation, Inc. and Swift Transportation Company plan to merge, according to an April 10 announcement by the two publicly held companies. Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc., the name of the new entity, will represent the industry’s largest full truckload company. The transaction is expected to close by the third quarter of 2017, and is likely […]
Restaurant Liability & Meal Delivery
Panera recently announced that it expects to add more than 10,000 new in-cafe and delivery driver jobs system-wide as it expands delivery service to 35-40 percent of its cafes by year end 2017. Panera is hiring its own drivers in company-owned and franchised markets across the country. These in-house drivers will have daytime hours and […]
Distractions Drive Auto Claims Up
Auto accidents and claims costs are on the rise and insurer profits are feeling the pressure, according to a recent Wall Street Journal article titled, “Smartphone Use Lifts Car Insurance Rates.” Insurance defense law firms that serve as auto panel counsel for personal lines carriers will want to monitor these trends closely. Lower gas prices […]
Get on More Insurance Panels in 2017
New Year’s Resolution #1: Get on More Insurance Panels Start early, have a detailed plan, and stay focused to achieve more panel appointments in 2017. Update your sales tools. An attractive website and firm resume, both featuring recent attorney photos and updated bio pages, will help to make a favorable impression. Know your numbers. Metrics […]
The Hartford Panel Counsel Guidelines Updated
Panel counsel for The Hartford may want to review the currently posted litigation guidelines, if they have not done so recently. Some new provisions have been posted to The Hartford’s website, a few of which appear below. A primary changes appears to be in regard to cybersecurity concerns. Panel counsel members that identify any type […]
Tesla Auto Liability Panel Issues
Joshua Brown became the first known fatality in a self-driving car when the Tesla Model S he was operating struck a semi tractor-trailer crossing U.S. Route 27 in Williston, Fla. on May 7. The Tesla was in autopilot mode at the time of the accident. Mr. Brown, a Canton, Ohio entrepreneur and former Navy SEAL, […]
Reorg Update for Zurich Panel Counsel Members
Zurich Insurance Group is undergoing a reorganization that will align the life and non-life business units geographically. The goal is to minimize the cost of sales within a region and facilitate the sale of additional coverage lines to business and individual clients. Zurich panel counsel members will want to take note. Management teams will be […]
How to Become EPLI Panel Counsel
EPLI coverage often represents a dilemma for employment defense attorneys that want to become EPLI panel counsel. When an employer client has a claim that becomes subject to an employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) policy, the law firm may discover that they are not able to represent their client in pre-suit or litigation matters. This […]
More GCs Use RFPs to Hire Law Firms
The Request for Proposal (RFP) process is gaining strength as a means for in-house corporate counsel to look for new law firms or procure routine legal services. As the corporate mentality of doing ‘more with less’ spills into the legal realm, the RFP has laid the groundwork for increasing competition in an already competitive legal […]
