Scariest Trends in Claims and Litigation

Since it’s October, what is the scariest trend you are seeing in claims and litigation?

“The scariest trend I’m seeing right now is the plaintiff’s focus on similar, but unrelated, past incidents for punitive damages. Large companies often have tens of thousands of employees (who are not interconnected), but plaintiffs allege that the ‘company’ failed to take action when these past events occurred, so a large verdict is the only way to make the company take action now. Companies need to be very thoughtful as to how information about past adverse events is collected and analyzed to protect themselves against this strategy.”

Lee Weatherly, Partner, Copeland, Stair, Valz & Lovell, LLP. CLM Member since 2014.

“By far, one of the scariest trends we face in casualty is the use of liens and letters of protection, resulting in the presentation of medical specials that can far exceed the actual cost of the treatment. There has been legislation proposed in recent years with the goal of addressing this issue; these discussions are a hopeful sign that this practice of inflating medical costs may eventually be curbed.”

Christopher Lambert, Senior Claims Examiner, Amica Mutual Insurance Company. CLM Fellow since 2019.  

“One of the scariest trends in litigation is the increasing number of cases with clear liability, low past medical damages, and huge (and often speculative) claims for future medical damages. The case outcome can often be dependent on the jury or venue and has the potential for a nuclear verdict. Admitting liability early and focusing on medical causation is often key to defusing juror sympathy for the plaintiff.”

Valerie Garcia, Attorney, Hall & Evans, LLC. CLM Member since 2012.

“The rise in nuclear verdicts is the scariest trend right now. Our traditionally litigious culture has grown to be more punitive than ever before. As a result, the natural claims-handling process becomes obstructed, inhibiting early resolution. Costly trials and outrageous verdicts then perpetuate distrust and foster social inflation.”

Flavia Pemberton, Vice President, Environmental Claims, Ascot Underwriting Limited. CLM Fellow since 2010.

 59%

Percentage of lawyers using web-based software solutions.

Source: ABA Legal Technology Survey Report

95%

Percent of customer interactions powered by chatbots by 2025.

Source: Duck Creek Technologies