Get to the point! Claims examiners are juggling more responsibilities than ever, with less time to do them. Meanwhile, legal counsel, striving to be both transparent and thorough, provide numerous updates throughout a claim’s lifecycle. But how often do these reports actually help claims professionals do their jobs better?

In claims management, success requires strategic case management, not just routine updates. Effective counsel reports should provide clear, concise, and actionable insights—not unnecessary detail or vague summaries.

Why Counsel Reports Need to Evolve

Most counsel reports check the compliance box but fail to aid in managing litigation effectively. Examiners often receive boilerplate updates with recycled case history and little real insight.

What claims examiners actually need:

1. Clear case trajectory – What has changed, what hasn’t, and how does it impact claim strategy?
2. Analysis, not summaries – Focus on how new developments affect liability, causation, damages, and valuation.
3. Actionable recommendations – Instead of listing motions, highlight next steps and required actions.
4. Efficiency and brevity – Keep reports concise yet substantive, delivering only what is necessary.

When done right, counsel reports become strategic tools—guiding claims professionals toward proactive, informed decision-making.

5 Elements Every Counsel Report Must Cover

To ensure optimal case outcomes, reports should follow a structured, action-driven format. Every status report should answer these five critical questions upfront:

1. What’s This Case About?

Claims examiners manage high caseloads. Give them an immediate snapshot—don’t make them dig through files. Provide:

• A concise case summary (just a few sentences).
• Key legal and factual issues impacting liability and damages.
• The current litigation decision point (settlement, defense, or further investigation).

2. What’s New Since the Last Report?

Stick to substantive updates that show case progress and strategy shifts. Avoid repeating past details. Address:

• Significant developments since the last update.
• Discovery, depositions, expert reports, or court rulings that impact the case.
• Any shifts in case valuation due to new evidence.

3. Has Anything Changed That Impacts Strategy or Value?

This is the heart of the report—claims examiners need your assessment, not just facts. Provide:

• Liability updates – Has new evidence shifted fault assessment?
• Causation analysis – Do new medical reports, expert findings, or testimony affect the argument?
• Damages evaluation – Has the potential payout increased or decreased?

4. What’s Next?

After outlining past developments, give a roadmap for what’s ahead. This fosters collaboration and keeps claims aligned with litigation strategy. Include:

• Upcoming deadlines, motions, depositions, or mediations.
• Key decisions required in the next phase.
• Any budget or strategy adjustments based on recent developments.

5. What Does Claims Need to Do?

Be direct—if you need something, ask for it. Address:

• Required approvals or actions from claims.
• Justification for requests (e.g., expert retention, budget modifications, additional investigation).

Transforming Legal Reports into Strategic Tools

A well-structured report benefits everyone:

✔ Claims professionals get clear, actionable insights, reducing follow-ups and delays.
✔ Legal counsel stays aligned with claims strategy, ensuring cost-effective litigation.
✔ Case outcomes improve through data-driven decision-making.

Counsel reports should be more than just updates—they should be decision-making tools. By focusing on new developments, impact analysis, and next steps, legal reporting shifts from passive updates to proactive case management.

How does your organization ensure counsel reports provide the right insights? Let’s discuss in the comments below!