Insurance Coverage Litigation

We wrote the book on Insurance Coverage. The law firm of Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer, S.C., excels at the efficient and cost-effective handling of insurance coverage opinions and litigation representation for insurance companies and TPAs throughout Wisconsin and in the other 49 states, through our national network of local counsel. If you are an insurance claims handler or supervisor with responsibility for or occasion to deal with coverage issues relating to third-party defense litigation, first-party claims, and/or reservation of rights scenarios, we can help - anywhere within the United States.

More and more insurance companies, faced with astronomical claims of all kinds, have had to resort to meticulously enforcing coverage exceptions and exclusions in order to maintain profitability. Carriers should not be expected to pay uncovered or excluded claims any more than we should be expected to deny legitimate claims covered under the policy’s terms and conditions. With complex insurance agreements and multi-party situations becoming commonplace in an increasingly multi-state and even international setting, prudent carriers are pursuing 'other insurance' options, pressing multi-coverage contribution claims and liability subrogation, and seeking clear and compelling coverage opinions before pulling the litigation trigger. We can help in this area, regardless of the state or jurisdiction involved.

At Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer, S.C., the three partners alone have a combined 75 years of experience in handling such coverage matters, as well as the defense and prosecution of cases on behalf of insurance companies and their insurers, including:

• Environmental coverage
• Review and interpretation of personal (auto and homeowners), commercial and special risks policies
• Basic policy defenses, exclusions and exceptions
• Determining and enforcing the rights and obligations of all parties to an insurance contract
• Clear and easy to understand coverage opinions and recommendations
• Making clear and explaining complex and ambiguous insurance contract terms
• An insured's duty to cooperate and attendant exclusions
• All aspects of good faith and fair dealing obligations, opinions, and litigation

Wisconsin and Multi-State Insurance Coverage

The firm is devoted to providing the best "insurance coverage value" in the Midwest. A significant amount of work on each insurance coverage litigation file can be handled by legal assistants at substantial savings to our clients. Lacking the significant overhead with which "larger, downtown insurance defense firms" are necessarily burdened, we are able to promote efficiency and cost-effectiveness with each file referred to us.

Success does not depend on the size of the law firm; it depends on the quality of the lawyers and the results they produce. Our firm insurance newsletter is distributed nationwide and reaches more than 2,500 insurance claims handlers, supervisors and adjusters every quarter. It summarizes recent developments in insurance law and focuses on practical and useable information for the insurance professional. Insurance companies are among the most sophisticated and knowledgeable of clients.

Today, the integrity of the insurance industry and its commitment to honoring legitimate claims for which it is contractually or legally responsible is offset by the industry's concomitant desire to avoid payment of claims and damages for which it is not contractually obligated and for which there is no insurance coverage. From the handling of routine coverage issues and opinions to reservation of rights, to more complex coverage triggers, equitable relief, economic loss, property damage, failure to cooperate, and other insurance coverage exclusions or exceptions, we can help you pay legitimate claims for which you obligated, and recognize those that aren't.

Give Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer, S.C. an opportunity to prove its experience and expertise in the area of coverage opinions and litigation today.

"The unsolicited feedback from our insureds has always been positive and favorable after they have been represented by Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer. Honesty and integrity is something I know I am getting in all aspects of representation, from high quality and efficient work to their billing practices. They are indeed a pleasure to work with." -Ann Lampris, General Counsel, Badger Mutual Insurance Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

"Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer, S.C., has always provided us with great professional service at a fair price." -Michael Wagner, President and CEO, Society Insurance Group, Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin

"Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer has been our primary defense firm for almost nine years. I have never been disappointed with their work, work product, service or billing. I do not hesitate to send them any type or size case." -Bob Bachtell, Claims Manager, Midwest Security State Auto Insurance Company, Onalaska, Wisconsin

The law office of Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer, S.C., represents clients located throughout Wisconsin and the United States, including the communities of Milwaukee, Appleton, Oshkosh, Green Bay, Madison, Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, Hartford, Ashland, Saukville, Manitowoc, Mukwonago, Kenosha, Oneida, Washington County, Milwaukee, Waukesha County, Ozaukee County, Dane County, and all of the surrounding areas.