In a year that’s seen many more downs than ups, is there anything claims and litigation professionals can be thankful for in 2020, and, if so, what?
“Absolutely! The successful pivot to working remotely across all insurance fields was amazing. Also, our virtual platforms have offered us new ways to connect and share vital information even in a pandemic.” Matthew Smith, Executive Director, Coalition Against Insurance Fraud. CLM Fellow since 2009.
“Other than the most obvious—that people we know, and their loved ones, are healthy—I am thankful for my firm’s preparedness to deal with the pandemic in terms of technological resources and systems. As a litigator, I have been blessed with the ability to adapt to court closures, and the multitude of other impacts on the business of litigation, through the use of a variety of remote access platforms.” Valerie Edwards, Senior Partner, Luks, Santaniello, Petrillo & Cohen. CLM Member since 2011.
“Universally, even in California, I’ve seen the settlement value of employment claims go way down, and far more occasions in which plaintiffs’ counsel withdraw from representation after our aggressive, evidence-based response to demand letters. It’s unfortunate that claimants are more numerous and getting more desperate, but opposing counsel is being more selective about which cases they take on and how demanding they become in negotiations.” Dana Ring, Partner, Wood Smith Henning & Berman. CLM Member since 2016.
“Ironically we can be thankful for different exposure. Many claims/risk professionals have learned more because events have gone virtual and registration is mostly free. This has enabled resolution managers, supervisors, and risk managers to participate broadly without incurring travel cost or time away from their duties. Counsel and other presenters/exhibitors get exposure to network with new people.” Caryn Siebert, Vice President, Carrier Practice, Gallagher Bassett Services, CLM Member since 2009.
BY THE NUMBERS
42%
Percent of U.S. labor force working from home.
Source: Stanford
91%
Percent of organizations that say keeping members connected is their objective when running virtual events in 2020.
Source: Wild Apricot
159%
Percent increase in telecommuting between 2005 and 2017.
Source: FlexJobs
80%
Percent of internet traffic expected to be video and web conferencing by 2021.
Source: NowSourcing
85%
Percent of businesses that say flexible work locations have made their companies more productive.
Source: International Workplace Group