Claim Management
Litigation Management

When you're talking about major disasters, you're talking about potential losses in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Whether your client is a small company or a large multinational corporation, this can spell disaster to their bottom line. Let us bring our proven success record and flexible, efficient method of account management to help you control your client's claim exposures.

William Kramer & Associates has the resources to offer the highest level of service in Third Party Administration for property and casuatly claims — domestic or worldwide. Our network of affiliated offices provides our firm with the ability to investigate and adjust losses virtually anywhere in the world.

Our expertise enables us to identify the case-specific claim procedures, open up lines of communication and develop methods of effective claim resolution. Our track record is proof of our core values: integrity, impartialtiy, and professional excellence.

We perform all third-party claims administrator and litigation management functions in full compliance with all laws, regulations, and your client's service instructions. We represent your interests in all matters related to claims and litigation management throughout the term of the contract, including investigation, settlement negotiations structured settlements, ADR and litigation management services. When you turn to us for insurance adjustment, technical claims administration and risk management services, you can expect the following:

• availability of personnel
• specialized expertise
• up-to-date resources
• rapid response
  

Our Account Management Style
At William Kramer & Associates, we assign your case to a senior level executive who maintains hands-on responsibilities from a project's start to its finish. Your client will have a single point of contact for all of our services as well as any problems or complaints, should any arise.

Each member of our highly-trained, adjusting staff has at least ten years of experience in major property and liability losses, general property and liability and product/professional liability claims. We also employ engineers, accountants, petro-chemical experts, environmental experts, material damage experts, and investigators. Our staff is equipped to handle any case, small or large, litigated or non-litigated.

We Open the Lines of Communication
We ensure a smooth transition from your client's current administrator to our highly-trained staff. We review all files, notify all claimants and attorneys of the new appointment as Claims TPA and identify files that need immediate attention. We report all claims that are expected to reach or exceed your client's self-insured retention to their excess carrier, and maintain ongoing reporting and case coordination. We'll also provide recommendations for appropriate reserves for all property damage and casualty claims and expenses.
Through wide use of our state-of-the-art computerized claim administration processing software (CCAPS), we assure comprehensive Loss Run Services. We can also provide your client with dial in/online capability. And a 24-hour contact number ensures that, in case of an emergency, we can always be reached and respond quickly.

Claim Management
Our firm adjusts casualty, property, environmental and bond losses over a very broad spectrum of complexity. The property adjusters address losses from small homeowner claims to multi-million dollar commercial catastrophes involving material damage, business interruption and extra expense coverage. Our casualty adjusters have investigated the simplest slip and fall losses to the most complex claims including Professional Malpractice/Liability, Product Liability, Premises Liability, Directors & Officers Liability, Errors & Omissions, Environmental Liability, Construction Defect and Contract Liability.

Litigation Management
Our aggressive staff of seasoned industry experts is determined to minimize each client's litigation costs by following time-proven procedures that have resulted in success. We work hard to implement a litigation management plan that will control litigation costs without compromising case results. The procedures listed below were developed to assist our claims personnel in the management of lawsuits served on our clients.

Selection of Counsel
Depending on the expertise required for each case, in addition to geographic location, William Kramer & Associates works with its clients to choose the most appropriate counsel. Counsel's hourly rate will be agreed upon by the client prior to assignment of the case.

Extensions
In many cases, referral to defense counsel is unnecessary. We review each case to determine the plausibility of resolving the case directly with the plaintiff/plaintiff's attorney without involvement of counsel.
When an extension is believed to be beneficial, client approval is obtained. Then, we obtain a 45 - 60 day extension or an open extension.

Assignment of Case
Depending upon the severity or complexity of the loss, litigation matters are handled by adjusters or litigation managers. The internal assignments are made by the Litigation Manager.

The adjuster assigned to the case prepares a detailed referral letter and presents it to the Litigation Manager with the original file copies, ready to mail. The following topics are covered in the referral letter:

• summary of the incident
• summary of the plaintiff's damages/injuries
• adjuster's assessment of liability
• adjuster's case objectives

Acknowledgement of Case
An acknowledgment of the referral letter from the managing attorney shall be returned to William Kramer & Associates within seven days of receipt of assignment. The letter should advise which lawyer within the firm has been assigned the case.

Initial Evaluation Report
Within 45 days of receipt of assignment, the handling attorney must provide William Kramer & Associates with an initial evaluation report.

Mandatory Status Reports
Status reports are necessary every 90 days. Counsel should only report new developments, which have occurred within the current reporting period. It is not necessary to repeat the case facts or information, which has been previously reported.

The 90-day reporting diary can be extended by exception if the attorney so notifies WKA. Likewise, the 90-day reporting period should be shortened as dictated by case activity. All reports must be copied to the client.

Pre-trial Report
60 days prior to the scheduled commencement of a trial, a Pre-Trial Report must be completed and sent to WKA and the client.

Final Report
At the conclusion of the case, a short summary report should be directed to William Kramer & Associates.

Voluntary Settlement Conference/Alternative Dispute Services
Our litigation staff is familiar with and equipped to handle matters, which are suited for voluntary arbitration, mediation or informal conferencing. When appropriate, we recommend that cases be submitted for informal resolution.

Mandatory Settlement Conferences
Our personnel will attend all Mandatory Settlement Conferences. Counsel is expected to provide William Kramer & Associates with a copy of the Mandatory Settlement Conference Statement in advance of the conference.

Settlement Authority
Counsel has no settlement authority. All settlement authority must be obtained from William Kramer & Associates or the client. The negotiation of settlement will be discussed between counsel and William Kramer & Associates to determine who might be best suited for the task.

Releases/Dismissals
Written releases and dismissals will be obtained on all cases. These documents will be signed by the plaintiff. Whenever practical, William Kramer & Associates will undertake this task. Specialized wording will be added, as principal requires.