Harland Westgate, Jd Email & Phone Number

Arlington, Va

As a Litigation Specialist, in addition to my responsibilities as Claims Examiner, I have handled complex cases for a wider variety of clients. In addition to psychiatrists and neurologists, professional and general liability policyholders have included outpatient surgical centers, naturopaths, healthcare staffing agencies, assisted reproduction clinics, family practice clinics, home health agencies, and hospice agencies. I also handled part of a book of E&O claims in 2014 and successfully settled a class action lawsuit involving bad faith allegations. This involved collaboration with defense counsel and the policyholder to develop a plan to obtain certification of a settlement class prior to certification of the litigation class. I was also able to settle a claim involving a multipurpose regional stadium project where damages were alleged to be eight figures. Since May 2015 I have served as claims consultant to a self-insured hospital, providing them with case evaluations, recommended resolution plans, and reserve recommendations. When instructed, I conduct settlement negotiations with claimants or plaintiffs counsel.

Arlington, Va

In my role as a Claims Examiner, I was responsible for evaluating claims for coverage; drafting reservation of rights letters when indicated; developing a resolution plan; setting and adjusting indemnity and litigation expense reserves in accord with that plan and the anticipated exposure; and monitoring and directing the defense of claims and lawsuits, as well as negotiating settlements when indicated. I handled actions against psychiatrists and neurologists in AZ, ID, KS, NC, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, TX, and UT.

Researched established and emerging issues in psychiatric professional liability, whether malpractice, administrative, or criminal, and develop continuing education materials including CME seminars for psychiatrists. Provided one-on-one risk management advice via the Risk Management Consultation Helpline.

-Drafted pre-launch internal briefing for SVP of Worldwide Public Affairs and Policy on legislative and regulatory support for inclusion of Maraviroc on ADAP formularies-Evaluated the potential practical implications for Pfizer of proposed legislation on state demonstration programs for alternative medical tort systems (S. 1481, “Fair and Reliable Medical Justice Act”)-Researched, attended and drafted reports on legislative hearings related to ADAP, FDA reauthorization, Medicare formulary inclusion, re-importation, patent reform, pediatric therapies research, evidence-based medicine, and tort reform (with emphasis on medical malpractice system reform)

-Researched and analyzed a proposal to create a specialized system of health courts-Attended and summarized legislative hearings on medical tort reform, medical/pharmaceutical price controls, and re-importation

Jd, Law

Activities and Societies: Emergency Medical Response Group (EMeRG), GW Health Law Association, American Health Lawyers Association

Hba, Criminal Justice, Philosophy

Activities and Societies: Omacron Delta Kappa, Phi Sigma Tau, Emergency Care UnitGraduated with an Honors Bachelor of Arts degree; Served.