Proponents of litigation funding transparency are celebrating a new Wisconsin law, adopted in April, that requires identification of any third-party that provides funding support for a lawsuit. Litigation funding has been drawing more media attention lately, as reflected in a March 21, 2018 Wall Street Journal article entitled “Lawsuit Funding, Long Hidden in the Shadows, […]
Auto Liability & Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian safety is a growing problem across the country, with implications for auto liability panel counsel members. About 15 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2017 involved pedestrians, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). This is the highest number of pedestrian deaths in the last 25 years. Pedestrian deaths increased 27 percent from […]
Marijuana Use and Workers’ Comp Claims
As medical and recreational use marijuana becomes more widespread under state law, changes are being considered for state workers’ compensation systems. The legalization of marijuana is likely to have a profound impact on all areas of employment, including workers’ comp claims as well as the following: Americans with Disability Act (ADA) compliance requirements Discrimination claims […]
Workers’ Comp and Opioid Claims
Workers’ compensation defense attorneys are working closely with employers to deal with the impact of the opioid epidemic on the workplace. Claims managers and workers’ comp panel counsel members consider opioid use to be a high priority for 2018. More than $1.5 billion was spent on opioids including OxyContin and Vicodin by workers’ compensation insurers […]
EPLI Claims Avoided by Mandatory Arbitration Clauses
A mandatory arbitration clause in a Waffle House employment contract prevented a New Orleans employee from pursuing claims against her employer for discrimination and harassment, according to a recent Wall Street Journal article. The employee’s contract prevented her from filing claims in civil court, and, instead, required her to settle any employment-related claims through arbitration. […]
AIG to Acquire Validus
AIG plans to acquire Validus in a $5.56 billion transaction. AIG foresees benefits from an expanded reinsurance platform, a significant presence in the Lloyd’s market, as well as market share in the U.S. crop and excess and surplus (E&S) markets. Validus Holdings, Ltd. offers reinsurance, insurance, and asset management services. Validus maintains a worldwide presence […]
10 Steps to 2018 Legal Marketing Success
Here are 10 steps to help a managing partner or practice area chair connect with litigation panel managers at insurance companies and self-insured entities in 2018. Legal marketing for insurance defense law firms is a process, not an event. Slow but steady wins the race for new business development. 1. Have a Marketing Plan Think […]
General Counsel Seek Innovative Solutions
Law firms should be more proactive in pitching for work, according to corporate general counsel interviewed for an October 30, 2017 article in The American Lawyer. GCs would like to see their outside law firms show more initiative when it comes to adopting innovative solutions, including proposals for adding value to the legal process. Outside […]
Hurricane Irma Claims as of October 20
Policyholders have filed a total of 772,934 Hurricane Irma claims as of October 20, six weeks after the storm left millions in the Sunshine State with a major clean-up and restoration effort. Areas such as the Florida Keys, where the structural damage was extensive, are likely to have the longest road to recovery. According to […]
Trucking Panel Counsel Campaigns
Motor carriers, shippers, and logistics companies often maintain a self-insured retention (SIR) program to cover a certain level of losses prior to coverage by a primary or excess insurance policy. Many of these self-insured entities maintain their own panel counsel program of defense law firms that are experienced in the area of trucking and transportation […]
