Bad Faith in Insurance Claims

Strategies for Prosecuting and Defending Against Claims of Insurer Misconduct

Recording of a 90-minute CLE webinar/teleconference with Q&A


Conducted on Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Recorded event now available


The teleconference/webinar format offers two options for participation: audio only via telephone (download speaker handouts prior to the program) or audio via phone plus online viewing of speaker-controlled PowerPoint presentations.

This seminar will examine the types of conduct that may support a bad faith in insurance claims, the insured's and insurer's obligations in a coverage investigation, the necessary elements to prove or defend a bad faith claim, and damages that are recoverable in a bad faith suit.

Description

Over the past few years, policyholders have been filing bad faith claims against insurers at an increasing rate. These claims, if proven, can lead to significant damages awards against insurers. However, many courts view insured's bad faith claims with skepticism.

What options are available to an insurer to position itself for a favorable outcome or to minimize any damages assessed? On the policyholder's side, what are the best strategies to support bad faith allegations to obtain insurance coverage and recover compensation from an insurer?

Listen as our panel of insurance law specialists examines bad faith claims from the perspective of both the policyholder and the insurer. The panel will discuss best practices and strategies for each side in litigation that includes allegations of bad faith by the insurer.

Outline

  1. What constitutes bad faith
    1. First-party claims
    2. Third-party claims
    3. Burden of proof
    4. Statutes
  2. Coverage investigation
    1. Insurer’s obligations
    2. Policyholder’s obligations
    3. Does the use of counsel protect investigative materials
  3. Proving a bad faith claim
    1. Pre-suit investigation
    2. Useful discovery
    3. Use of expert witnesses
    4. Depositions: useful tips
    5. Summary judgment
  4. Defending bad faith claims
    1. Defending with motions
    2. Defenses
  5. Recoverable damages
    1. Compensatory
    2. Punitives

Benefits

The panel will review these and other key questions:

  • What are the prima facie elements to support a claim of bad faith denial of insurance coverage?
  • What are the insurers' and the policyholders' obligations in a coverage investigation?
  • What are some effective methods for a policyholder to prove that an insurer acted in bad faith — and what are the insurers' best defenses to such claims?

Faculty

Amy Laurendeau, Partner
O'Melveny & Myers, Newport Beach, Calif.

She is a member of the Class Actions, Mass Torts, and Aggregated Litigation Practice. She represents clients in complex business litigation matters, and recently litigated a major bad faith case. She also litigates actions involving insurance coverage and product liability claims, as well as unfair competition, fraud, copyright, real estate, and contract disputes.

Jerold Oshinsky, Partner
Gilbert & Oshinsky, Los Angeles

He focuses on insurance coverage litigation on behalf of policyholders in federal and state courts and on counseling clients nationwide on insurance coverage and related matters. He handles insurance matters, including advertising liabilities, broker’s liability, business interruption, construction defects, directors and officers, employment issues, and environmental liability.

Joanne L. Zimolzak, Partner
McKenna Long & Aldridge, Washington, D.C.

She handles complex business litigation, representing insurance companies in coverage and bad faith disputes. She also provides counseling in these areas. Her experience also extends to assisting companies with internal investigations and fraud reporting.

Robert M. Horkovich, Shareholder
Anderson Kill & Olick, New York

He is a trial lawyer with substantial experience in trying complex insurance coverage actions on behalf of corporate policyholders. He is “the ‘go-to person’ in the area of insurance recovery” according to the Chambers USA 2005 Client’s Guide. He has obtained over $2 billion in settlements and judgments from insurance companies for his clients over the past decade.

Ordering

Online CLE - Audio Recording

Includes audio streaming of full program plus handouts (available 24 hours after live seminar).

CLE: Pre-approved for participatory or non-traditional/alternate format credit in: CA, HI*, NY*, WV*. Pre-approved for self-study credit in: AK, AZ, MO, MT, TX, VT, WA.
Upon request, also available in: CO, CT*, FL, GA, ID, KY, LA*, ME, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, OR*, SC, TN, UT, WI*, WY. If you are applying for credit in one of these states, make sure to select those states when placing your order.
(*Indicates that Strafford must report attendance.)

Online CLE Audio $297.00
Available 24 hours after the live event

How does this work?


Recorded Event

Includes full event recording plus handouts (available after live seminar).

CLE: Pre-approved for self-study credit in: AK, AZ, CA, CT, HI, MO, MT, NY, TX, VT, WA, WV. Upon request, self-study credit is also available in: CO, FL, GA, ID, KY, ME, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, OR, UT, WI, WY. If you are applying for self-study credit in one of these states, contact Strafford CLE at 1-800-926-7926 ext. 35 or CLE@straffordpub.com.

Webinar Download (Audio + Slide Presentation) $297.00
Available three business days after the live event

How does this work?

Webinar on DVD (audio + slide presentation) $297.00 plus $9.45 S&H
Available ten business days after the live event

MP3 Download (Audio Only) $297.00
Available 24 hours after the live event

How does this work?

Teleconference on CD (audio only) $297.00 plus $9.45 S&H
Available ten business days after the live event

Program Materials

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Program Materials

Requires Adobe Reader 8 or later. Download Acrobat FREE.

Can't Attend the Live Program?

CLE Credit

Strafford's live seminars qualify for CLE in every state that accredits webinars. They offer you a high quality, cost effective, and convenient CLE option, with no lost travel time or expenses.

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Customer Reviews

I liked the different speaker perspectives.

Gina Fama

Standard Chartered Bank

One of the best CLEs outside my firm that I have attended in a long time. The materials and the dual perspectives were great and the comments on one another's presentations were very instructive.

Lisa Taylor Hudson

Sands Anderson Marks & Miller

The speaker's practical discussions were particularly helpful.

Kenneth J. Clarkson

Sullivan, Ward, Asher & Patton

Convenient and well-organized.  Well-run program.

Michael V. Kruljac

IMERYS

Content was superb.

Patrick Webb

Webb & Carey

Insurance Law Advisory Board

John D. Green

Partner

Farella Braun + Martel

William O. Krekstein

Partner

Nelson Levine deLuca & Horst

Jay M. Levin

Counsel

Reed Smith

Peter J. Mintzer

Partner

Chamberlin, Keaster & Brockman

Barry S. Neuman

Counsel

Carter Ledyard & Milburn

Andrew G. Wanger

Partner

Clyde & Co.

Sandra I. Weishart

Partner

Barger & Wolen

Our Guarantee

Strafford webinars and teleconferences are backed by our 100% Unconditional Money-Back Guarantee: if you are not satisfied with any of our products, simply let us know and get a full refund. For more information regarding complaints and refunds, please contact us at 1-800-926-7926 ext 10.