Description
Job Description:
Claim metrics must be kept current. Handle a caseload up to 100 pending claims that may include some levels of complexity. Requires establishing facts of loss, coverage analysis, investigation, compensability/liability/negligence determination, coordination of medical care (as appropriate), litigation management, damage assessment, settlement negotiations, identifying potential fraud and appropriate use of authorized vendors. Also includes timely and appropriate reserve analysis and report completion. Ability to attend conferences, client meetings, mentor other adjusters and assist management as requested. All file handling must be within state statutes, Client Claims Handling Guidelines and NARS Best Practices. Other miscellaneous duties as assigned, which may include travel. Must have Environmental Experience!
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Coverage:
- Identify, analyze and confirm coverage.
Customer Service/Contact:
- Make first contact within parties and client within 8 business hours.
- Contact appropriate parties and providers to determine liability, compensability, negligence and subrogation potential.
- Contact appropriate parties to obtain any needed information and explain benefits as appropriate. Continue contact throughout the life of the file as appropriate.
- Answer phones, check voice mail regularly, and return calls as needed.
- Assist with training/mentoring of Claims Adjusters.
- Assist management when required with projects or leadership as requested.
- Handle the various duties/responsibilities of the Assistant Unit Manager/Unit Manager as delegated in their absence.
Subrogation:
- Refer all files identified with subrogation potential to the subrogation department.
- Maintain closing ratio as dictated by management team.
- Close all files as appropriate in a timely and complete manner.
Investigation:
- Verify facts of loss and pertinent claims facts such as employment, wages, or damages and establish disability with treating physicians as appropriate.
- Identify cases for settlement. Evaluate claims and request authority no later than 30 days prior to mediation date and negotiate settlement.
- Evaluate and negotiate liens.
- Recognize and report potential fraud cases.
Litigation Management:
- Develop and actively direct a litigation plan with defense attorney (if assigned), utilizing all defenses and tools to bring the file to closure. Ensure all filings and state mandated forms are completed timely. Litigated files must be diaried effectively based on current activity, but no greater than every 60 days.
- Review claim files involving active litigation on a monthly basis at minimum, and document responses to filings, development of defenses, depositions, and timely referral to defense counsel.
- Direct the actions of defense counsel on litigated files.
- Attend mediations and trials as required for cost effective litigation management.
Reserves:
- Establish ultimate reserves (anticipated cost to bring file to close based on known facts) as soon as practical and monitor to adjust at the time of any exposure changing event.
- Pay all known benefits, ensuring they are paid timely on state statute.
- Verify all provider bills have been appropriately reviewed and paid within standard timeframes.
Reporting Requirements:
- Report all serious injuries/liability issues and potential large loss claims to the client and/or reinsurer based upon the criteria provided by the client.
- Must pass all internal and external audits, which include those performed by regulatory agencies, carriers, and clients.
- Follow reporting requests as outlined by client files and NARS guidelines.
Education / Licensing:
- High School Diploma or equivalent required, 2-year degree or higher, including law degree, preferred.
- 7+ years of prior claim adjusting experience, preferably in the line of business being handled.
- Must have 7+ years heavy litigation experience for all other lines except Worker’s Compensation
- Must have 5+ years Construction Defect or similar/related experience if handling that line of business.
- Must be eligible for reserve/payment authority level of $50,000+ when appropriate
- Must possess, or have the ability to obtain, a Florida Adjuster’s license or other required jurisdictional licensing.
Technical skills:
- Requires ability to negotiate claims and to direct litigation.
- Must have interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations and information.
- Requires ability to negotiate claims and to direct litigation.
- Must have negotiation and litigation skills for significant work with attorneys and arbitration on first and third- party claims.
- Requires ability to work independently.
- Requires organization and time management skills.
- Must possess written and verbal communication skills.
- Must be able to explain and appropriately respond to auditors, clients, and potential clients during in-person presentations.
Abilities:
- Requires long periods of sitting.
- Must be willing to attend local NARS office meetings, on occasion.
- Requires working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions.
- Requires lifting of files and boxes up to approximately 20 pounds.
- Repeated use of a keyboard, mouse, and exposure to computer screens.
- Requires travel for mediation, as assigned.
General Information:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. The incumbent must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to handle multiple competing tasks and demands and to seek supervisory assistance when necessary.
Incumbents within this position must abide by basic workplace safety procedures and adhere to the standards of conduct set forth in the North American Risk Services, Inc. Employee Handbook. In addition, you may be required to assist or find appropriate assistance to make accommodations for disabled individuals in order to ensure access to the organization’s services (may include visitors, employees or others).