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Commentary – Expect Gulf Oil Slick Claims To Be Extensive And Impact Multiple Lines Of Business

We still do not truly understand the entire impact from a claims perspective of the tragedy that has unfolded as a result of the Deepwater Horizon rig accident in the Gulf of Mexico. Losses are being estimated in the $30-$40 billion range with only a fraction of that number covered by insurance. What has recently been reported, however, is an increase in premiums for offshore energy coverages. What is next? No one really knows. The Claims SPOT comments on the some of the issues facing the industry.

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The 5 Essential Components of Defense Attorney Reports That Can Improve Claims Costs and Outcomes

Why are Attorney Evaluation Reports sometimes so light? I was recently conducting an audit of claim files and had the opportunity to review a significant number of Attorney Evaluation reports from a variety of law firms. Like many other things in life, some were better than others. What seemed to be most glaringly consistent was the inability of counsel to truly provide an assessment of exposure and what the case is worth. Every counsel evaluation report should contain 5 basic components that I outline and attorneys should be required to provide their actual valuable opinion. [More…]

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Warning – Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP): Government sends strong message and goes after non-compliance

If you are an insurance company or self-insured, and make payments on liability or workers’ compensation claims, be aware that the Federal Government has filed a lawsuit signaling their intent to be aggressive in seeking reimbursement. As reported in Business Insurance, this “case breaks new ground because CMS simultaneously named insurers, settlement beneficiaries and plaintiffs attorneys all in one lawsuit.” This case should alert all that if you make a payment on an injury claim, and fail to let the Government know about money they should be collecting, they will come after you.