Senior Technical Litigation Claims Specialist

Company

Farm Family specializes in farm and ranch protection with a wide range of products including flexible farm packages, business owner policies, commercial package, workers compensation, commercial auto and select personal auto coverage. Farm Family is a leader in serving the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic markets and is pursuing growth across the U.S. The Farm Family entities are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Clearbrook Group Holdings Inc.

Job Description

Summary:

We are looking for a highly capable Senior Technical Litigation Claims Specialist to join our team and work from our Omaha office. We work together in the office five days a week in order to strengthen our culture, build team connections, and drive profitability. The position reports to the VP of P&C Claims Litigation in Albany and is responsible for negotiating lawsuits and directing the activities of defense attorneys. This includes directing and reviewing litigation strategy and actions of defense counsel for claims involving litigation and/or complex injuries, etc. which are to be handled with advanced technical proficiency including responsibilities such as investigation, coverage and exposure evaluation, negotiation, and resolution. 

Our Senior Technical Litigation Claims Specialists contribute to providing superb results for our clients.
 

This is a 100% in-office position. Candidates must be able to work on-site at a designated company office during standard business hours.
 

Essential Responsibilities:

• Working under limited technical direction and within broad limits and authority, adjudicate highly complex claims that are litigated potentially with significant impact on departmental results.
• Providing laser-focused customer service to our clients by providing superior claims outcomes and developing meaningful and long-lasting connections with our insured and brokers.

• Makes an initial in depth review of coverage to determine the sufficiency of information to make a correct decision. Completes an in-depth review of the investigation of the occurrence to evaluate the sufficiency of the investigation and to ensure a correct assessment of the exposure. Determines if the investigation supports the exposure analysis.
• Coordinates a litigation plan with defense counsel that represents both a cost-effective defense and the best interest of the insured, when applicable.
• Assumes the responsibility for handling high severity multi-line litigation claims for all lines of business; personal and commercial; to include property, liability, first and third-party exposure cases, Errors and Omission claims, Direct Action lawsuits, Commercial Agriculture and Construction Litigation; as well as Actions against the company for Extra Contractual Exposures.
• Receives and properly handles claims from inception or transfer; reviews notice of loss to determine proper coverage, establish and maintain proper reserves.
• Completes an in-depth investigation and/or review of initial investigation promptly and thoroughly, including interviewing all involved parties to properly evaluate and ensure a correct assessment of the exposure. Review relevant venue specific case law.
• Completes case evaluations and ensure proper reserves are placed on exposures in accordance with the company’s reserving philosophy.
• Makes daily decisions to determine the appropriate course of action for the file, considering the exposure of the insured, the company, and cost factors.
• Attends depositions, court-ordered mediations, trials, arbitration, settlement meetings as required. This may involve overnight travel.
• Negotiates in a timely and effective manner to provide cost effective solutions for the company and its customers within own limits using a range of negotiation styles.
• Considers Alternative Dispute Resolutions, utilizing creative resolutions when appropriate, in order to reach an effective resolution of a dispute.
• Managing diary timely and complete tasks to ensure that cases move to the best financial outcome and timely resolution.
• Reviews legal expenses incurred in the defense of the litigation.
• Reports to Claims Committee, if and when appropriate.
• Evaluates claims for bodily injury, review medical reports-records and bills. Calculates past/future medical expenses, past and future wage loss where applicable. Analyzes the value of Personal Injury Claims for compensation, considering both past and future values of compensation. Confirms and/or performs permanency ratings according to AMA guidelines to assess exposure and value of the claim.
• Recognizes, investigates, and handles as necessary recoveries from subrogation, salvage, liens, loss transfers, or other related claim areas.
• Handles all correspondence relating to the litigation files and responds accordingly.
• Communicates and maintains professional relationships with insureds, claimants, agents, attorneys, vendors and management regarding the ongoing status of claims handled.
• Mentors lower level litigation and claims employees. Presents various items to management. Assists in training, as needed, throughout the company.

•  Has an appreciation and passion for strong claim management.

Qualifications / Experience Required:

• An advanced knowledge of managing litigated claims, as well as an exceptional customer service focus typically obtained through:
  • Juris Doctor from an accredited law school
  • A minimum of 5 years’ managing litigated claims, including body injury experience in determining liability, negotiating settlements, reviewing estimates, and medical terminology.
• Must be able to obtain necessary state licenses and maintain Continuing Education (CE) requirements as needed.
• Must have good business acumen (i.e. understand how an insurance company works and makes money, including how this role impacts both Argo Group and our customers’ ability to be profitable).
• Ability to regularly exercise discretion and independent judgment with respect to matters of significance. This role primarily faces problems that requires an understanding of a broader set of issues. 
• A strong focus on execution in getting things done right.  Proven ability to consistently produce and deliver expected results to all stakeholders by:
  • Finding a way to achieve success through adversity.
  • Being solution (not problem) focused
  • Thinking with a global mindset first.
• Client focus – the ability to effectively determine specific client needs and to provide value added solutions.
• Successful traits (flexibility, ability to thrive in change, being resourceful on your own) necessary to work in a fast paced environment that is evolving constantly.
• Ability to develop and maintain productive relationships with clients, business partners and organizational peers with a focus on timely and meaningful exchanges of information.
• Must have excellent communication skills and the ability to build lasting relationships.
• Effective time management skills and ability to prioritize workload while handling multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Exhibit natural and intellectual curiosity in order to consistently explore and consider all options and is not governed by conventional thinking.
• Desire to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent evaluation and strategic skills required.
• Strong claim negotiation skills a must. Ability to take proactive and pragmatic approach to negotiation.
• Demonstrates an understanding of mechanisms available for resolving claims settlement disputes (e.g. arbitration and mediation) and when these are used.
• Must demonstrate the ability to exercise sound judgment working under technical direction.
• Demonstrates inner strength.  Has the courage to do the right thing and demonstrates it on a daily basis.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite and other business-related software.
• Uses listening and questioning techniques to effectively gather information from insureds and claimants
• Polished and professional written and verbal communication skills. Presents information clearly, concisely, and accurately.
• The ability to read and write English fluently is required.
• Must demonstrate a desire for continued professional development through continuing education and self-development opportunities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Insurance and/or litigation designations such as ACLA, AIC, CCLA, CPCU, FCLA, LPCS, PCLA, SCLA, etc.

About Working in Claims at Farm Family

• Farm Family does not treat our claims or our claims professionals as a commodity. The work we offer is challenging, diverse, and impactful.
• Our Adjusters and Managers are empowered to exercise their independent discretion and, within broad limits and authority, be creative in developing solutions and treat each case as the unique situation it is. 
• We have a very flat organizational structure, enabling our employees have more interaction with our senior management team, especially when it relates to reviewing large losses. 
• Our entire claims team works in a collaborative nature to expeditiously resolve claims.  We offer a work environment that inspires innovation and is open to employee suggestions. We even offer rewards for creative and innovative ideas. 
• We believe in building an inclusive and diverse team, and we strive to make our office a welcoming space for everyone. We encourage talented people from all backgrounds to apply.

PLEASE NOTE: 

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. At this time, we are not able to sponsor or assume sponsorship of employment visas.

If you have a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar state or local law and you wish to discuss potential reasonable accommodations related to applying for employment with us, please contact our Benefits Department at 210-321-8400. 

Benefits and Compensation

We offer a competitive compensation package, performance-based incentives, and a comprehensive benefits program—including health, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.

Core Values

At Clearbrook our Core Values are Integrity, Collaboration, Pursuit of Excellence and Forward Thinking. These values reflect who we are today and who we aspire to be - guiding how we work, how we lead and how we succeed.