As Panel Counsel, each of the sub-categories of the Claims Panel Counsel Guidelines should be adhered to and complied with. Please use the links on the left hand side of the page to navigate to the correct guidelines that are applicable.
The Panel Counsel Guidelines shall not restrict counsel's independent exercise of professional judgment in rendering legal services for the insured or otherwise interfere with any federal and state laws, court rules, ethical directives or insurance commission memoranda. Nothing in these Guidelines is intended to expand, restrict, limit or condition coverage under the subject policy.
The Panel Counsel Guidelines are applicable to counsel retained by The Hartford Property and Casualty Claims, including Hartford Financial Products; and counsel retained by Third Party Administrators. Different business units at The Hartford have created Guidelines in support of unique business needs. It is the responsibility of counsel to be cognizant of the business unit from which an assignment has made so that the appropriate guidelines can be followed.
These guidelines serve our partners by ensuring consistency in claim litigation management expectations. The guidelines foster a closely aligned litigation management partnership between defense counsel and our claims professionals. This enhanced level of partnership translates to a higher level of service for our customers.
If the Panel Counsel Firm or any of its employees conducts any "plaintiff practice", the type and percentage of that practice will be disclosed to The Hartford and will be updated on a periodic basis if/when the practice changes significantly from the prior disclosure.
It is expected that counsel fees and expenses accurately reflect the cost of the work necessary to defend and resolve the claim. Only reasonable and necessary fees and expenses allocable to a covered loss will be considered for payment or used to satisfy any self-insured retention or deductible provisions of an insured's policy.
The Hartford reserves the right to review and audit all fees and disbursements submitted by counsel. This includes the right to examine and audit the corresponding legal file.
Neither the failure nor any delay in enforcing or exercising any right under these Guidelines shall constitute a waiver of such right and no single or partial exercise of such right preclude any other or further exercise of any other right under these Guidelines.