Auto and General Liability; Hartford Global Specialty Casualty F/K/A Navigators Casualty & Maxum Casualty- Attorney Guidelines
Counsel engaged to provide a defense in matters handled by The Hartford's Global Specialty Group are asked to follow these Attorney Guidelines in addition to other applicable guidelines, including:
- General Guidelines
- Billing Guidelines
(additionally, effective January 15, 2015 for HFP)
The following guidelines are applicable to counsel handling auto and general liability matters on behalf of The Hartford Claims. Guidelines are developed to meet specific business needs, and can be different for different business units at The Hartford. Please consult with the claim handler assigned to a particular case to clarify expectations.
Acknowledgment of New Assignments
New assignments are made, at the discretion of The Hartford, to the Firm or a specific attorney. Assignments are typically made by the claim professional responsible for the direct handling of the matter.
New assignments should be acknowledged by Counsel, in writing, within 24 hours. The acknowledgement should:
- Confirm acceptance of the assignment and the Lead Attorney for the matter;
- Confirm that an appropriate conflict check has been completed without adverse result;
- Indicate any immediately necessary information or documentation required from The Hartford in order to adequately protect the interests of The Hartford and its insured.
Counsel shall promptly advise The Hartford of any potential conflict of interest (whether at the time of assignment or as may be determined at any other time), and it is within the sole discretion of The Hartford whether any conflict of interest can be resolved by disclosure and waiver, or whether the matter should be re-assigned to other counsel. Counsel should not seek waiver of conflict by a prospective insured/client without agreement by The Hartford with particular sensitivity to positional conflicts arising out of Counsel’s past and current representation of adverse interests.
Counsel should promptly advise the insured of representation upon referral by The Hartford. While initial contact may be made by telephone due to circumstances of the particular matter, the representation should be confirmed by appropriate introductory correspondence that provides the insured/client with contact information. Initial contact with the insured is expected within 3 days of assignment.
Initial Action Plan Conference
Trial Strategy Roundtable – Prior to Plaintiff’s Deposition An attorney must initiate a trial strategy roundtable together with the handler and team leader to occur after the completion of written discovery and no later than 30 days prior to the plaintiff’s deposition.
Reporting During the Case
Within 90 days of the assignment, counsel should submit an >>>CLICK HERE>>> Attorney Report - Initial. A subsequent teleconference should be conducted with the claim handler within 7 days of the report, and the Action Plan will be updated by the claim handler as appropriate.
Counsel shall document all substantive activities and developments through the course of the assignment. An >>>CLICK HERE>>> Attorney Report - Update should be provided upon material developments; prior to mediation or settlement conference; and after 150 days if there has been no other substantive reporting.
At least 60 days prior to trial, defense counsel should submit a >>>CLICK HERE>>> Pre-Trial Report. Counsel will promptly provide copies of all substantive documentation to the assigned claim handler, including pleadings, expert reports, medical reports, research memoranda, or legal briefs, settlement documents, releases, orders of dismissal, etc.
Counsel will respond and comply with all reasonable requests for information from the claims representative or insured. Privileged documents should not be disclosed absent written consent of the insured.