Do you think liability awards are bad now?  They could get worse.  Extended statutes of limitations, more liberal expert evidence rules, and the bending of personal jurisdiction rules, especially in so-called judicial hellholes, may lead to more and bigger casualty losses.  Hear from one of the leading advocates for tort reform about the most significant issues driving the future of big nasty claims.

• Tiger Joyce, President, ATRA

An increase in the number of oversized verdicts has been widely reported, but just how bad is the situation? Are juries really out of control, as some commentators suggest? Keying off of Advisen’s proprietary excess casualty loss database, this session will examine frequency and severity trends for losses larger than $100 million, including a growing number of verdicts that breach the $1 billion threshold. Panelists also will provide their perspectives on the insurance industry’s reaction to the increased frequency of high severity losses.

• Jim Blinn, EVP, Client Solutions, Advisen
• Jesse Paulson, Managing Director, US Excess Casualty Leader, Marsh

The frequency of “nuclear verdicts” is on the rise, but why? This session will examine factors such as changing jury demographics, a growing distrust of corporations, and an increasingly aggressive and well-organized plaintiff’s bar that may be influencing the size of awards. Panelists also will explain what can be done to keep a bad claim from spiraling out of control.

• Derek R. Broaddus, Senior Vice President, Head of North American Excess Causality Division, Allied World [Moderator]
• Adam Boesen, Managing Director, Courtroom Sciences, Inc.
• Gregory S. Katz, New York Managing Partner, Lewis Brisbois
• Hon. George J. Silver, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge, New York City Courts

Insurers reported underwriting losses in 2018 in some casualty lines. Are jumbo verdicts a contributing factor? What is the impact on insurance prices and capacity? This session will examine the insurance industry’s response to very large claims, including decisions by several large carriers to withdraw capacity from distressed lines. Panelists will also offer their insights into whether rate increases are sustainable in the current market which, despite a growing number of large losses, is overall profitable and well-capitalized.

• Jonathon Drummond, Head of Casualty Broking, North America, Willis Towers Watson [Moderator]
• Debbie Goldstine, EVP and US Casualty Leader, Lockton
• J. Michael Kirchgessner, Head of North American Excess Casualty, AIG
• Kathy Reid, Senior Vice President, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance

Top insurance claims executives will give their insights into how the insurance market plays a role in the event of a Big Nasty Claim.  Hear about the nastiest claims issues that keep the most senior insurance executives up at night – and what they are doing to manage these issues.  Learn how these major insurers are working to protect policyholder interests and keep the liability sharks at bay.

• Anthony DeFelice, Managing Director, Aon [Moderator]
• Andy Barberis, Claims Lead for Excess Casualty, AIG
• Paul S. DeGiulio, Senior Vice President General Casualty and Healthcare Claims, Allied World
• Michael G. Merlo, Managing Director of Coverage Advocacy and Claim Resolution, Aon
• Robin E. Saul, Senior Vice President, Head of Claims, Arch Insurance, Bermuda