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Claim Management
Litigation Management
Brokers: Control Your Client’s Claim Exposures
When you're talking about major disasters, you're talking about potential losses
in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Whether your client is a small company
or a large multinational corporation, this can spell disaster to their bottom
line. Let us bring our proven success record and flexible, efficient method of
account management to help you control your client's claim exposures.
William Kramer & Associates has the resources to offer
the highest level of service in Third Party Administration for property
and casualty claims — domestic or worldwide. Our network of affiliated
offices provides our firm with the ability to investigate and adjust
losses virtually anywhere in the world.
Integrity, Impartiality and Professional Excellence
Our expertise enables us to identify the case-specific
claim procedures, open up lines of communication and develop methods of
effective claim resolution. Our track record is proof of our core values:
integrity, impartiality, and professional excellence.
We perform all third-party claims administrator and litigation management
functions in full compliance with all laws, regulations, and your
client's service instructions. We represent your interests in all matters
related to claims and litigation management throughout the term of the
contract, including investigation, settlement negotiations structured
settlements, ADR and litigation management services. When you turn to us
for insurance adjustment, technical claims administration and risk management
services, you can expect the following:
-
availability of personnel
- specialized expertise
- up-to-date resources
- rapid response
At WKA, You Always Work with a Senior Level Executive
At William Kramer & Associates, we assign your case to a senior level
executive who maintains hands-on responsibilities from a project's start
to its finish. Your client will have a single point of contact for all of
our services as well as any problems or complaints, should any arise.
Each member of our highly-trained, adjusting staff has at least ten years
of experience in major property and liability losses, general property and
liability and product/professional liability claims. We also employ
engineers, accountants, petro-chemical experts, environmental experts,
material damage experts, and investigators. Our staff is equipped to
handle any case, small or large, litigated or non-litigated.
You Have Complete Access to Us at All Times
We ensure a smooth transition from your client's current administrator to
our highly-trained staff. We review all files, notify all claimants and
attorneys of the new appointment as Claims TPA and identify files that
need immediate attention. We report all claims that are expected to reach
or exceed your client's self-insured retention to their excess carrier,
and maintain ongoing reporting and case coordination. We'll also provide
recommendations for appropriate reserves for all property damage and
casualty claims and expenses.
Through wide use of our state-of-the-art computerized claim
administration processing software (CCAPS), we assure comprehensive Loss
Run Services. We can also provide your client with dial in/online
capability. And a 24-hour contact number ensures that, in case of an
emergency, we can always be reached and respond quickly.
WKA property
adjusters address losses from small homeowner claims to multi-million dollar
commercial catastrophes
Claim Management
Our firm adjusts casualty, property, environmental and bond losses over a
very broad spectrum of complexity. The property adjusters address losses
from small homeowner claims to multi-million dollar commercial
catastrophes involving material damage, business interruption and extra
expense coverage. Our casualty adjusters have investigated the simplest
slip and fall losses to the most complex claims including Professional
Malpractice/Liability, Product Liability, Premises Liability, Directors
& Officers Liability, Errors & Omissions, Environmental Liability,
Construction Defect and Contract Liability.
Litigation Management
Our aggressive staff of seasoned industry experts is determined to
minimize each client's litigation costs by following time-proven
procedures that have resulted in success. We work hard to implement a
litigation management plan that will control litigation costs without
compromising case results. The procedures listed below were developed to
assist our claims personnel in the management of lawsuits served on our
clients.
Selection of Counsel
Depending on the expertise required for each case, in addition to
geographic location, William Kramer & Associates works with its
clients to choose the most appropriate counsel. Counsel's hourly rate
will be agreed upon by the client prior to assignment of the case.
Extensions
In many cases, referral to defense counsel is unnecessary. We review each
case to determine the plausibility of resolving the case directly with
the plaintiff/plaintiff's attorney without involvement of counsel.
When an extension is believed to be beneficial, client approval is
obtained. Then, we obtain a 45 - 60 day extension or an open extension.
Assignment of Case
Depending upon the severity or complexity of the loss, litigation matters
are handled by adjusters or litigation managers. The internal assignments
are made by the Litigation Manager.
The adjuster assigned to the case prepares a detailed
referral letter and presents it to the Litigation Manager with the
original file copies, ready to mail. The following topics are covered in
the referral letter:
- summary of the incident
- summary of the plaintiff's damages/injuries
- adjuster's assessment of liability
- adjuster's case objectives
WKA’s litigation staff can handle voluntary arbitration, mediation and informal
conferencing
Acknowledgement of Case
An acknowledgment of the referral letter from the managing attorney shall
be returned to William Kramer & Associates within seven days of
receipt of assignment. The letter should advise which lawyer within the
firm has been assigned the case.
Initial Evaluation Report
Within 45 days of receipt of assignment, the handling attorney must
provide William Kramer & Associates with an initial evaluation
report.
Mandatory Status Reports
Status reports are necessary every 90 days. Counsel should only report
new developments, which have occurred within the current reporting
period. It is not necessary to repeat the case facts or information,
which has been previously reported.
The 90-day reporting diary can be extended by exception if
the attorney so notifies WKA. Likewise, the 90-day reporting period
should be shortened as dictated by case activity. All reports must be
copied to the client.
Pre-trial Report
60 days prior to the scheduled commencement of a trial, a Pre-Trial
Report must be completed and sent to WKA and the client.
Final Report
At the conclusion of the case, a short summary report should be directed
to William Kramer & Associates.
Voluntary Settlement Conference/Alternative Dispute
Services
Our litigation staff is familiar with and equipped to handle matters,
which are suited for voluntary arbitration, mediation or informal
conferencing. When appropriate, we recommend that cases be submitted for
informal resolution.
Mandatory Settlement Conferences
Our personnel will attend all Mandatory Settlement Conferences. Counsel
is expected to provide William Kramer & Associates with a copy of the
Mandatory Settlement Conference Statement in advance of the conference.
Settlement Authority
Counsel has no settlement authority. All settlement authority must be
obtained from William Kramer & Associates or the client. The
negotiation of settlement will be discussed between counsel and William
Kramer & Associates to determine who might be best suited for the
task.
Releases/Dismissals
Written releases and dismissals will be obtained on all cases. These
documents will be signed by the plaintiff. Whenever practical, William
Kramer & Associates will undertake this task. Specialized wording
will be added, as principal requires.
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