Professional Liability Claims: Newton Remmel’s professional
liability practice has two facets.
It performs coverage investigation and analysis for insurers and policyholders,
along with any associated litigation, over the existence or scope of insurance
coverage. The firm has over 30 years of experience in successfully resolving
insurance issues related to professionals.
The firm defends claims against architects and engineers. The firm believes in
providing an aggressive defense for these disciplines as experience shows a
definite advantage by doing so. Inadequate design, administration, coordination
or observation claims are examined closely at the outset to determine the
likelihood of a successful defense. Early claim merit assessment is joined with
efficiency so as to minimize spending the professional’s insurance deductible as
much as possible.
The firm also defends attorneys who face direct claims or the all-too common
practice of so-called innocuous inquiries into an attorney’s handling of a legal
matter. Whether it is head-on or camouflaged, the claim is handled with
sensitivity to the attorney’s reputation and expectations.
The firm prosecutes claims against insurance brokers or agents who have dropped
the ball when working for policyholders. Due to the firm’s extensive insurance
experience, it can quickly assess whether the insurance professional has acted
below the standard of care. The firm knows how to communicate a direct and
concise statement of liability to a broker or agent so as to prompt a quick
resolution for the policyholder.
Newton Remmel has substantial experience in the field of insurance for
construction managers. Whether a construction manager qualifies as a
professional may vary from contract to contract, and from project to project.
The firm has successfully handled claims where it has been able to obtain
insurance coverage for a construction manager under a professional liability
policy. It has been able to shift the coverage obligation to the commercial
general liability insurer, thereby shifting the cost of defense from the
insured’s pocket, through its deductible under its professional liability
coverage, to the general liability policy which has no deductible. This saves
the professional liability policy limit for claims settlement, should it ever be
needed.