Bad Faith Insurance Claims in Pennsylvania Training Class

Course ID: 13632

Bad Faith Insurance Claims in Pennsylvania Training Seminar

When Is It Really "Bad Faith"?

If your responsibilities include dealing with difficult bad faith cases, you're making decisions and executing strategy in what can be a legal minefield. With a rapidly growing body of government regulations to keep track of and a multi-layered and diverse insurance industry and claims process, expensive legal consequences are possible at every step. Bad faith isn't an area where you can take a trial-and-error approach.

This seminar was designed to provide you with the cutting-edge knowledge and concrete skills you need to gain a favorable outcome during bad faith cases. Get a crucial review of the law and bad faith elements, including the different types of claims and the remedies associated with them. Examine discovery from both the plaintiff's and defendant's point of view and gain a perspective that will help you better understand and fulfill your role in the trial process. Master pre-trial and trial strategies that will give you new confidence and a clear advantage when dealing with claims. Whether you're counsel for the plaintiff, the defense or are an insurance professional trying to prevent bad faith claims, you won't find guidance this practical anywhere else.

Integrate current legislation into everyday practices to ensure compliance.
Uncover related causes of action like breach of contract and fraud.
Know exactly how to work with experts so they help - not hurt - your case.
Cover all the bases when requesting production of discovery.
Make ethics a non-issue in your practice by following accepted ethical tenets.


	Agenda
	EMERGING ISSUES AND CURRENT LAWS Alan H. Casper, 9:00 - 9:45 Legislative Overview: What the Courts Are Ruling New Case Law Development - Interpreted Other Emerging Issues IDENTIFYING THE TYPE OF TORT, RELATED CAUSES OF ACTION AND DAMAGES Ronald Schiller, 9:45 - 10:45 First-Party Claims Types of Claims The Insurer's Responsibility Settlement Issues Third-Party Claims Types of Claims Settlement Issues Exploring Related Causes of Action Fraud Negligence Breach of Contract Statutory Breach What to Consider When Figuring Damages Emotional Distress Interest Attorneys Fees and Costs Punitive Damages GAIN A NEW PERSPECTIVE OF PRE-TRIAL PRACTICE Bruce L. Neff, 11:00 - 12:00 The Plaintiff's Preliminary Steps: Communicate With Insurer and Thoroughly Review the Policy Choose the Cause of Action and Establish Damages The Insurer's Guidelines: Preliminary Negotiation Strategies Know the Types of Responsive Pleadings The Use and Selection of Experts Key Tactics in Arbitration and Settlement How-to's for Establishing Choice of Venue Potentially Explosive Traps to Avoid GATHER INFORMATION CRITICAL TO YOUR CASE Scott J. Tredwell, 1:00 - 1:45 Information You Absolutely Need - Where to Find It Eliminate Headaches When Gathering Interrogatories and Related Documents Cover All Your Bases When Requesting Documents Implement a Request for Admissions and Save Time Your Obligation to Produce and Respond to Discovery When and Who to Depose and How to Prepare Witnesses Streamline Your Job With Sample Discovery Forms and Requests CONSIDER THE ETHICAL CONSEQUENCES: IT'S LEGAL, BUT IS IT RIGHT? Jeffrey R. Lerman, 1:45 - 2:45 Protect the Attorney-Client Privilege How the Advice of Counsel Defense Can Become an Issue The Ethical Pitfalls in Contacting Witnesses SUCCESSFUL COURTROOM STRATEGIES Charles K. Graber, 3:00 - 3:45 Evaluate Your Options for Summary Judgment Clarify Common Misconceptions About Motions Voir Dire: The First Essential Step in Winning the Case What You Must Accomplish in Opening and Closing Statements How to Create an Order of Witnesses What to Do When You Have a "Bad" Witness Guidelines for Using Discovery and Evidentiary Issues Handling Post-Trial Procedures and Appeal AVOIDING BAD FAITH CLAIMS FOR THE INSURANCE PROFESSIONAL: COMPLYING WITH THE UNFAIR CLAIM SETTLEMENT PRACTICES ACT Scott J. Tredwell, 3:45 - 4:30


	Audience
	This basic-to-intermediate level seminar is designed to help attorneys, claims adjusters, claims managers, risk managers, insurance agents, paralegals and other professionals avoid bad faith claims if they can - or successfully defend them in court if they must.