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On May 1, 2018, Pele spoke, and Hawaii’s Big Island was rocked with the first of more than 50 earthquakes, representing the collapse of the crater floor at Puu Oo, the open vent below Kilauea’s summit crater and lava lake. Rivers of lava destroyed over 600 homes, making it the most destructive eruption in modern times. Even before the lava had cooled to form a tomb of solid rock over the once thriving neighborhoods, many escaped from their homes with their most valuable possession — their homeowner’s policy. There is no such thing as volcano or lava flow insurance, but it is possible for an all-risk homeowner’s policy to provide some coverage.

Georgia has joined fifteen other states which have outlawed the use of hand-held cellphones and mobile devices while driving. A new law signed by Governor Nathan Deal makes watching movies, shooting video, and even the mere “holding” of hand-held devices while in the vehicle—even while stopped—illegal. House Bill 673 allows drivers to talk on the phone or text if they use hands-free technology. It was signed May 2 and took effect on July 1.

A generation ago, subrogation professionals were almost unheard of. Over the years, however, as prudent businesses and insurance companies began to insist on their statutory and contractual rights of subrogation, the profession has grown. On February 8, 2018, the Texas Supreme Court issued an opinion that grants subrogation adjusters and claims handlers the ability to sign medical expense affidavits under § 18.001 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code.

Subrogation professionals often assume that if a state employs or recognizes the “Made Whole Doctrine”, then the insured must be totally reimbursed for its out-of-pocket deductible and any uninsured losses before a carrier can subrogate. Unfortunately, this over simplistic view and application of the Made Whole Doctrine is not only erroneous, but it also results in reduced subrogation recoveries for carriers across the country. The obligation of an insurer to reimburse some or all of its insured’s deductible has very little to do with the Made Whole Doctrine in most states. Daniels v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 2018 WL 3424941 (Wash. App. 2018), a brand-new decision by the Washington Court of Appeals affirms this.

On April 3, 2018, the Wisconsin Legislature enacted 2017 Wis. Act 235 which substantially changes certain rules governing civil litigation in Wisconsin. Included in this Act are new rules regarding discovery practice and the Rules of Civil Procedure. As these new rules take effect, it is anticipated that these changes will result in uncertainty and increased motion practice. It is important that all Wisconsin litigators and insurance carriers become aware of these changes.

On April 5, 2018, the Wisconsin Supreme Court held that the operative event which triggers a notice of claim requirement in an underinsured motorist (UIM) policy is the tender of the tortfeasor’s underlying policy limit and not the accident itself. This holding overrules a published Wisconsin Court of Appeals’ decision that required an insured to provide notice to their carrier of a UIM claim “as soon as possible after the incident.”

Who covers what when an employee is involved in an accident while driving a personal vehicle for business purposes? It is a question as old as insurance itself. It should come as no surprise that the Holy Grail for trial lawyers is obtaining coverage for an employee’s personal vehicle through the employer’s commercial auto policy. Not only are policy limits usually significantly higher, but the dynamics of engaging a commercial policy in litigation are often considered more favorable than a claim against the employee’s personal auto policy alone.

Georgia has joined fifteen other states which have outlawed the use of hand-held cellphones and mobile devices while driving. A new law signed by Governor Nathan Deal makes watching movies, shooting video, and even the mere “holding” of hand-held devices while in the vehicle—even while stopped—illegal.

Driving in the left lane for anything other than passing is not only illegal, its unsafe and results in thousands of accidents annually. If a driver is parked in the left lane on a four-lane highway and isn’t passing someone or making a left turn, the driver is breaking the law in most states and can be ticketed – no matter what speed they’re traveling. When looking for deeper pockets or additional defendants in auto collision litigation, don’t overlook the driver who violates Left Lane Laws as a possible defendant should an accident and damages result from an accident that otherwise could have been avoided. This article contains a link to our newest chart on Left Lane Laws in all 50 states.

A long-standing controversy in Pennsylvania workers’ compensation subrogation has been resolved in a manner most unfriendly to Pennsylvania small businesses and the entire workers’ compensation industry. On June 19, 2018, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court hung their hat on a mistaken turn of a phrase found within § 319 – the Pennsylvania workers’ comp subrogation statute. The Court held that the phrase “instalments (sic) of compensation” within § 319 refers only to indemnity benefits – not medical expense benefits.

Driving in the left lane for anything other than passing is not only illegal, its unsafe and results in thousands of accidents annually. If a driver is parked in the left lane on a four-lane highway and isn’t passing someone or making a left turn, the driver is breaking the law in most states and can be ticketed – no matter what speed they’re traveling. When looking for deeper pockets or additional defendants in auto collision litigation, don’t overlook the driver who violates Left Lane Laws as a possible defendant should an accident and damages result from an accident that otherwise could have been avoided. This article contains a link to our newest chart on Left Lane Laws in all 50 states.

If a workers’ compensation subrogation claim can be resolved quickly – even before the employee settles the third-party action filed by him – it improves the cost-effectiveness of the result. According to a recent federal circuit court decision, it appears that in Colorado, even if the employee has filed suit, a carrier can file a separate third-party suit for subrogation against the same defendants. This decision is significant because it provides subrogation professionals with another useful tool with which to resolve its subrogation liens well before the employee’s claim settles and without the concomitant demands for reduction of the lien that usually accompany negotiations between the employee and tortfeasor.

It is hard to participate in any activity without being asked to read and sign some sort of release, exculpatory agreement, or liability waiver in advance. A key tool of risk management is the exculpatory agreement – a generic term which can refer to a provision in a contract, the back of a receipt or invoice, or the simple act of clicking “accept” during an online purchase. These risk management tools may include liability waivers, releases of liability, assumption of risk agreements, pre-injury releases, disclaimers of liability, sign postings, etc. Knowing how, when, and why such clauses are enforceable has become indispensable for today’s claims professionals and a necessity for knowing whether liability or subrogation claims can be pursued.

There is little law in California regarding subrogation/reimbursement and/or future credit rights of an employer or workers’ compensation carrier when an employee makes a third-party recovery because of legal malpractice in the handling of the employee’s attorney. This is surprising, given that California usually leads the nation on cutting-edge issues like this. However, despite the paucity of law on the subject, a recent Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board order seems to congeal the limited precedent out there into a ruling that prohibits the carrier from subrogation/reimbursement rights or the right to a future credit out of a legal malpractice tort recovery.

Ridesharing has officially arrived in New York, and confusion over New York no-fault insurance and PIP Loss Transfer has arrived with it. Third-party tort claims are limited by New York’s no-fault laws, and a PIP carrier who has paid benefits to a driver or passenger has no traditional subrogation rights. Loss transfer is an opportunity for a PIP carrier to recover from the negligent motorist’s insurer the first-party benefits it paid because of an accident. Unfortunately, when PIP benefits are paid to an Uber driver or rider, there is significant confusion regarding whether loss transfer will be allowed.

If a plaintiff or defendant in an auto accident lawsuit can be shown to have been using a cell phone or other hand-held devices at or near the time of the accident, and the state in which the accident occurred has a law prohibiting such activity, the action might constitute “negligence per se.” Knowing when and whether a technical violation of a cell phone law has occurred can be critical to the result obtained in adjusting losses, pressing a subrogation claim, or trying a lawsuit. Familiarity with the technical aspect of such laws, and whether they exist in the state in which an accident occurs, has become a necessity of claims handling.

The concept of experience ratings shouldn’t be a mystery. Experience ratings reward insureds who have a favorable loss history and penalize insureds who do not. So, how does subrogation fit into all of this? In theory, subrogation recoveries serve as a debit to actual loss totals and primary losses, thereby directly affecting the experience modifier. In short, one or two subrogation recoveries can mean the difference between a debt modifier and a credit modifier. Controlling experience modifiers becomes the key for insureds interested in holding their premiums to a minimum under the experience rating process.

E-cigarettes are advertised and sold as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes. The jury is still out on it, but its becoming increasingly clear that these products come with some unanticipated risks. Specifically, the need for more power in smaller packaged batteries, which can lead to battery cell explosions. Injuries from e-cigarette battery explosions can be heinous and the property damage resulting from their explosions can be extensive. Holding e-cigarette battery manufacturers accountable for the resulting injuries and property damage has several obstacles.

Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer, S.C. is growing! We would like to announce the joinder of three new attorneys to our firm—one in California (Charlene Busch), one in New Orleans (Sara Huffman), and one in our Wisconsin office (Lee Wickert). On behalf of everyone here at MWL, we would like to welcome them all to our firm.

Delays in Referring File to Subrogation Counsel Can Be Expensive. The moment you know a lawsuit has been filed by an insured or an injured employee, the fuse is lit. Many states have short statutes that eliminate or significantly reduce your recovery rights if timely action is not taken. In Colorado, failure to intervene means automatic reduction of your lien by more than one-third. In Connecticut, the fuse is thirty days, after which you lose your entire subrogation interest. Similar land mines exist in Iowa and many other states.

Extinguishing Third-Party Liability as a Prerequisite to Contribution. The absence of a simple sentence in a release signed by the claimant after settling a liability claim is costing liability carriers millions of dollars in contribution recoveries across the country. By the time they are discovering the mistake, it is too late.

When multiple insurers provide coverage for a single loss or accident, things can get confusing. Coinsurance can arise as a result of conscious risk-sharing or accidentally when two policies have overlapping coverage. Litigation involving who pays what, when, and in what order has become a cottage industry involving both subrogation and contribution. Understanding all concepts and applying them to the facts of a claim or loss is enough to make your head explode.

On February 29, 2018, the Wisconsin Legislature amended § 102.29 in several places, clarifying that a leased or loaned employee who “has the right to make a claim for compensation” is barred from filing a third-party lawsuit. The law is effective as of March 2, 2018 and applies to workers’ compensation claims made or civil tort claims filed on or after that date.

Gary Wickert and Jim Busenlener will be providing a complimentary webinar on Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation on April 11, 2018 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. (CDT). For more information or to register for this webinar, click HERE.

In Wisconsin, the Exclusive Remedy Rule, which prevents an employee from suing his employer in tort, isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. On January 6, 2018, in Rivera v. Alpine Insulation and West Bend Mutual Ins. Co., 2018 WL 334447 (Wis. App. 2018), the Wisconsin Court of Appeals held a temporary employee on loan to a special employer can either file a workers’ comp claim or file a third-party tort suit against the special employer.

Even seasoned subrogation professionals can overlook these key elements when investigating the recovery of a property damage claim due to a “frozen” pipe. Do not give these claims the cold shoulder, and you could receive a warm response to your subrogation inquiries.

On January 26, 2018, the Texas Supreme Court refused to review the July 14, 2016 decision by the Texas Court of Appeals in Insurance Co. of the State of Pennsylvania v. Roberts. Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer had filed an amicus brief on behalf of the National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP) in the case. This establishes the Court of Appeal’s decision as good law and will serve as a boon to Texas workers’ compensation subrogation efforts despite the presence of waiver of subrogation endorsements.

Already known for hosting the country’s premier website for subrogation resources, MWL unveiled its new YouTube Channel, featuring recorded subrogation training videos and our attorneys will soon be uploading short weekly videos answering questions and addressing hot topics related to subrogation. Please visit us on YouTube and don’t forget to subscribe! We also welcome you to follow all our social media pages as they will assist you in keeping informed on developments and changes in the law that effect the industry, which is key to obtaining the best results and could mean the difference between successful recoveries and no recoveries at all.

Proving reasonable value of medical services has become controversial and confusing. Every state has gone its own way in dealing with the issue. An understanding of how medical expenses are proven and recovered in civil litigation is a necessity for legislators, lawyers, claims professionals, and judges alike. This article provides an overview of the law regarding the pleading, proof, and recovery of past medical expenses that have been fully or partially paid by collateral sources, such as private insurance. Our newest 50-state chart entitled “Medical Billing, Insurance Write-Offs, and the Collateral Source Rule” is also introduced in this article.

The Amtrak Cascades 501 departed Seattle on its inaugural voyage on December 18, 2017 and, just after 7:30 a.m., it derailed at high speed causing three fatalities, dozens of injuries, and widespread destruction. Ideally, the parties liable for rail disasters are made to bear the cost of damages through subrogation. That may occur, depending on the facts and circumstances, but in serious cases, a lesser-known federal statute can leave insurers and insureds woefully under-compensated. Insurers, plans, and employers may be wise to start their subrogation efforts and get on board early so that they can assert and protect their rights throughout the complex litigation process.

After considering a motion brought by the plaintiffs in 46 actions pending in nine federal districts across the country, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) entered an order transferring those actions to the Northern District of Ohio for coordinated or consolidated pretrial proceedings. Those cases represent only a fraction of the cases recently filed against numerous manufacturers of prescription opioid medications. Centralization will likely swell what has already been a deluge of claims against the drug makers. The vast majority of cases filed to date have been brought by governmental plaintiffs—states, counties, and municipalities—but the filing of claims by third-party payors has begun to pick up speed as well.

As the weather starts to turn colder (at least here in the Northern states), our thoughts turn to the holidays and all the joys of the season. Unfortunately, it can also bring on property loss claims involving fires caused by Christmas trees, fireplaces, candles, etc. As with any investigation into the cause of a fire, care must be taken in the initial inspection to identify and recover all potential devices that may have caused the fire.

There is an “uneasy peace” between liability carriers and PIP carriers with regard to PIP subrogation. The uncertainty and potential cost-ineffectiveness of PIP subrogation, combined with the fact that doctors prefer the reimbursement rates from health plans over those of PIP or Medicare, means that Hawai’i sees relatively little PIP subrogation and reimbursement. Notwithstanding all the confusion and disagreement overshadowing PIP subrogation and reimbursement, there is a little known “loophole” that makes PIP subrogation simple and straightforward in certain cases.

On December 11, 2017, the New Jersey Supreme Court handed injured employees and struggling small businesses in New Jersey a huge victory. In Vitale v. Schering-Plough Corp., A-20-16; 078294 (N.J. December 11, 2017), the Court of Appeals affirmed a trial court’s ruling that a contractual limitation on the right of an employee to sue a third-party tortfeasor was unenforceable as against public policy. The Supreme Court affirmed that decision, preserving the employee’s right to sue and the employer’s (and its workers’ compensation carrier) right to reimbursement from that lawsuit, despite a written waiver which the employee agreed to.

Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer, S.C. would like to thank all our clients and local counsel for a wonderful year and we wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a blessed Holiday Season. Regardless of what Christmas means to you, we hope your Christmas is full of holiday cheer shared with family and friends. For us at Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer, S.C., Christmas is just the beginning – a simple, yet wonderful reminder of Christ’s humble beginning as a human child in this world. It’s only a beginning because His birth merely set the stage for the power, glory, and salvation that would be revealed in His life, death, and resurrection come Easter morning. An important part of the holiday season is remembering those who make the holidays meaningful to us. We would like to wish you and your family all the happiness and prosperity this Season can bring and may it follow you throughout the coming year!

Last months’ issue of the Medical Care magazine estimated that the societal cost of the U.S. prescription opioid epidemic tops $80 billion and is growing. Health insurers and workers’ comp carriers shoulder about one-third of this cost, while only one-fourth of it is borne by the public sector. For employers and workers’ compensation carriers, this means that even employees who don’t fit the stereotype of drug users will struggle with this potentially deadly addiction. The crisis has led directly to increased workers’ compensation costs.

In claims involving personal injury or property damage caused by the negligent operation of a stolen vehicle, operated by the thief who stole the vehicle, we are confronted by the issue of whether the owner of the stolen vehicle is responsible for the subsequent negligence and damage caused by the theft. Claims and subrogation professionals must know the law involving liability resulting from stolen vehicles if they are to competently handle claims and seek recovery of those claims dollars from a third party responsible for the loss. This article also contains a link to our newest 50-state chart on this topic.

Changing Times Require Changing Tactics. Lady Justice, the blindfolded woman carrying a sword and a set of scales, symbolizes the fair and equitable administration of justice, without corruption, greed, prejudice, or favor. Lately, however, she’s been looking for work. It seems that the hallowed halls of justice we call courtrooms are being used less frequently. This is especially true when subrogation claims, which tend to be smaller, liquidated claims, are involved. Subrogation professionals should recognize that there is a skill to effectively resolving cases for maximum value just as there is to trying a case.