Responsible for all aspects of training for the claims department nationwide and across almost all lines of business.http://www.hudsoninsgroup.com/

As the technical excellence manager I'm responsible for our Medicare compliance, team/department training, our internal quality audit process, as well as, reviewing and updating our best practices and internal claims processes. I also work closely with underwriting regarding proposed policy changes, renewals, claim trends, etc; and participate in department and company-wide projects as needed. I work directly with our insureds during claim reviews and policy renewal discussions to answer questions regarding claims trends, specific claim information, as well as, potential risk management suggestions.

As a claims manager I was directly responsible for managing a team of adjusters handling Hired and Non-owned auto claims. I also worked closely with the general liability claims adjusters acting as resource for questions, and managing that team when their manager was out. Additional responsibilities included communicating with leadership any claims handling trends, adverse claim development, or any other developments which might impact the department or company. I was also responsible for reviewing and updating our best practices/processes/procedures and developing training programs for the department. I worked with underwriting regarding potential policy changes, claims trends or claim development that could impact our clients/insureds.

Handle a wide range of litigated and high exposure commercial general liability, hired and non-owned auto, commercial excess and personal liability claims in all 50 states.

Specializing in complex and high exposure commercial litigation. Primary focus on CGL, Excess, Umbrella, and New York Labor Law.

-Handle a full docket of moderate to severe general liability claims for a worldwide fast food franchise. Emphasis on premises liability, product liability, foodborne illness and foreign object liability.-Handle a full docket of property subrogation claims for a nationwide financial institution from initial report to ultimate resolution.-Analyze coverage for and resolve construction defect claims for a variety of subcontractors ranging from landscapers to general contractors.-Evaluate and address coverage issues and disputes. Draft appropriate coverage denials and reservation of rights letters.-Provide litigation management and oversight, including retention of local counsel and instruction to said counsel regarding strategy and resolution plan on litigated files.-Prepare reports and conduct round-table discussions with Insurer client and management advising of trends and claims with significant exposure with recommendation of how to address and handle through resolution.-Research and compile information for use by fellow adjusters on various applicable state wide topics such as: statute of limitations, joint and several liability, insurability of punitive damages.-Create document templates to assist in office efficiency and minimize negative impact on productivity.

-Investigate, evaluate, and resolve general liability claims within a nationwide territory. -Dedicated claim handler assigned to an international retail account. Responsible for handling all claims for this account pursuant to the special handling guidelines. Assist with risk management and claim avoidance programs for this account.-Evaluate and address coverage issue and disputes. Draft appropriate coverage denials and reservation of rights letters.-Establish appropriate file reserves. Complete claim summary reports for management and major case unit with recommendations regarding reserves and resolution plan on claims files to comply with Best Practices guidelines.-Provide litigation management and oversight, including retention of local counsel and instruction to said counsel regarding strategy and resolution plan on litigated files.-Periodic claim reviews with internal management, policyholders, brokers and agents.-Ensure customer satisfaction and customer relationship collaboration by communicating with insureds and brokers to answer any questions regarding coverage, status of ongoing claims, risk analysis, loss control, and explaining the claims and litigation processes.

-Day-to-day Claims Management of the organization.-Supervised a staff of approximately 6 employees with varying experience levels. -Provided claims handling training to subordinates and colleagues including one-on-one training, drafting of best practices examples and guidelines, and brown bag luncheon sessions.-Collaborated on the development of standard operating procedures and policies.-Mentored claims handling staff on evaluation and appropriate handling on a broad range of claims.-Coordinated staffing schedules to achieve optimum service level and minimize negative impact on workflow.-Developed and maintained staff rapport, including resolution of inter-office conflicts or complaints between staff.-Risk Management.-Managed a large caseload of complex professional liability claims (approximately 380 claims) within a nationwide territory; including but not limited to Architects & Engineers, Real Estate Brokers/Agents, Design Professionals, Physical Therapists, Massage Therapists, Property Managers.-Evaluated coverage and provided opinions to the Insurer. Drafted appropriate coverage denials and reservation of rights letters.-Prepared reports to Insurer client and management advising of trends and claims with significant exposure with recommendation of how to address and handle through resolution.-Researched compliance issues under state insurance regulations and statutes.

-Handled full docket of general liability, business auto, farm and ranch, and agricultural claims providing specialized technical claims handling from report of claim through ultimate resolution.-Responsible for handling 90% of all litigated claims, high exposure claims including but not limited to complex coverage issues, fatalities, catastrophic injuries/loss.-Analyzed liability and damages issues in connection with claims made against our insureds and maintained appropriate documentation and evaluated exposure to assess accurate reserves.-Researched compliance issues with state insurance regulations and statutes.-Analyzed insurance coverage issues and drafted coverage position letters reflecting that position. -Retained and supervised outside counsel in the defense of our insureds in an effort to effectively resolve claims.-Attended and participated in mediations with and without outside counsel to effectuate successful resolution of litigated and non-litigated claims.-Monitored and filed all inter-company arbitrations and arbitration responses to ensure that we obtained the best possible results with the least negative impact on our company's profitability. This function saved QBE over $100,000 alone during 2008.-Maintained and developed relationships with insureds, brokers and outside counsel.-Provided support and information to underwriters in order to assist them with their evaluation of risk on particular accounts.-Collaborated with management and senior management on various special projects and assignments with direct impact on company profitability and evaluation of risk exposures.

-Supervised and handled from date of initial report until resolution an individual docket of complex, high-exposure professional liability claims within my assigned region of approximately 20 states.-Ensured customer satisfaction and customer relationship collaboration by communicating with insureds/clients to answer any questions regarding coverage, status of ongoing claims, risk analysis, loss control, and explaining the claims and litigation processes.-Verified and analyzed coverage, then issued appropriate coverage letters. Completed complex coverage analyses.-Managed and monitored non-litigated and litigated files, including regulatory matters, for adequacy of investigation, proper reserves, potential exposure and future course of handling and proper methods of disposition. -Oversaw and controlled litigated matters to direct defense counsels assigned to claims, determine future course of handling, and implementing proper method(s) of resolution.-Reported and conferred with claims management on developing trends within claims/legal environments, as well as, reported historical loss information to the underwriting unit. -Ensured equitable and prompt adjustment of assigned claims in accordance with company claims handling policies and procedures.

-Supervised and handled from date of initial report until resolution an individual docket of complex, high-exposure professional liability claims within my assigned region of approximately 20 states.-Ensured customer satisfaction and customer relationship collaboration by communicating with insureds/clients to answer any questions regarding coverage, status of ongoing claims, risk analysis, loss control, and explaining the claims and litigation processes.-Verified and analyzed coverage, then issued appropriate coverage letters. Completed complex coverage analyses.-Managed and monitored non-litigated and litigated files, including regulatory matters, for adequacy of investigation, proper reserves, potential exposure and future course of handling and proper methods of disposition. -Oversaw and controlled litigated matters to direct defense counsels assigned to claims, determine future course of handling, and implementing proper method(s) of resolution.-Reported and conferred with claims management on developing trends within claims/legal environments, as well as, reported historical loss information to the underwriting unit. -Ensured equitable and prompt adjustment of assigned claims in accordance with company claims handling policies and procedures.

-Drafted and reviewed TPA contracts, insurance policy endorsements and amendments.-Analyzed policy language and coverage to determine if it complied with statutory and industry regulations.-Assessed complaints from insurance regulatory agencies, investigated facts, research relevant law and supervised preparation of the response to the regulator.-Reviewed variety of lawsuits to identify matters to be handled by claims department and those to be managed by legal department. Managed outside counsel defending company regarding compliance issues.-Coordinated with State and Federal Regulatory Agencies concerning insurance matters and issue resolution.-Assisted outside counsel with needed materials and information for ongoing litigation. Gathered information to answer discovery requests.-Managed a compliance project dealing with Ecommerce and website content. Researched and compiled multiple 50-state compendiums dealing with assorted Insurance issues.-Prepared briefs, memorandums, and legal analyses on Insurance matters.

-Researched topics in various legal areas including, but not limited to, corporate, property, and real estate law.-Prepared briefs, memorandums, and motions.-Assisted in the formation of new corporations by filing the articles of incorporation, preparing minutes and issuing stock.-Contacted and corresponded with clients about ongoing cases and the status of said cases.

-Assisted in preparation for trials and pending cases by assembling exhibits, taking statements, investigating clients, and corresponding with experts and opposing counsel.-Prepared legal documents such as pleadings, interrogatories, and requests for production.-Researched law including Products Liability and Automobile Crashworthiness.-Responsible for inputting and maintaining an extensive database of documents.-Consulted with clients to determine their needs and priorities.

-Prepared garnishments, petitions, interrogatories, and tracked accounts on Landlord/Tenant and Collection matters.-Served legal documents such as subpoenas and summons.-Responsible for filing various pleadings with the court on a daily basis.-In charge of handling and recording of closed files and the retrieval of those files.-Assisted with various office duties as needed including deliveries, performing errands, filing, tracking and ordering supplies, photocopying, dictation and legal secretarial duties.