The following guidelines are applicable to counsel handling matters on behalf of The Hartford’s Complex Claim Unit (CCU) fka SCM. CCU is a specialized claim team responsible for the management of legacy/long-tail asbestos, sexual molestation, sports-related (e.g.. concussion claims) and other toxic tort bodily injury claims. Counsel engaged to provide a defense in matters handled by CCU are asked to follow these CCU Attorney Guidelines in addition to the other applicable guidelines including:
General Guidelines
- Ethics and Professionalism
- Protecting Confidential Information
- Medicare: Liability Matters involving Bodily Injury
- Staffing of Assignments
Billing Guidelines
- E-Billing for The Hartford Claims
- Billing Frequency and Timing
- Preferred Vendor List
- Billing - Frequently Asked Questions
Attorney Guidelines are developed to meet specific business needs, and can vary for different business units at The Hartford. Expectations of counsel, including reporting expectations, may also vary depending on the claim type, claim complexity, and/or volume of claimants associated with a certain account. Please consult with the CCU handler assigned to a particular matter to clarify expectations.
Counsel is responsible for the development of an effective and strategically sound legal defense.
- Initial Case Assessment: Generally, within thirty (30) days of being retained, counsel should communicate with the CCU handler about the known facts of the lawsuit(s), factual and legal issues, damages, resolution options, and litigation strategies.
- Litigation Plan and Budget: Generally, within sixty (60) days of being retained, counsel should provide its initial litigation plan and budget.
- Interim Reporting: Counsel should periodically communicate, generally every ninety (90) days, on the status of the pending matter and may utilize CCU’s case evaluation templates (see Documentation section below) for those communications. Counsel should immediately report on significant developments including but not limited to scheduled dates for settlement discussions, mediation, arbitration or trial, hearing results, motions or appeals, scheduling orders, changes in venue or judge. Counsel should promptly comply with all reasonable requests for information and documents, including requests for copies of pleadings, expert reports, medical reports, deposition transcripts, research memoranda, legal briefs, settlement documents, releases, orders of dismissal, etc.
- Mediation, Settlement Conference and Pre-Trial Reporting: No later than thirty (30) days before a scheduled settlement conference, mediation and/or trial (for any matter that is reasonably expected to begin trial), counsel should provide a written report. CCU’s case evaluation templates (see Documentation section below) should be utilized. Such reports should include all pertinent information necessary for CCU’s evaluation of the matter.
- Documentation: Generally, all reports should be in writing and the preferred method of transmittal is via email. Please utilize the following reporting templates for CCU cases:
- >>>CLICK HERE>>> Asbestos Evaluation
- >>>CLICK HERE>>> Lead Paint Evaluation
- >>>CLICK HERE>>> Miscellaneous Tort Evaluation
- >>>CLICK HERE>>> Molestation Evaluation
Non-Defense Related Work
The Hartford will not pay for the time of any attorney or paralegal to perform coverage or corporate-related legal work. The Hartford will not pay for legal services related to public relations, writing articles, press/media efforts and/or lobbying nor for legal advice unrelated to the defense of the case.
Professional Services
Generally, counsel should obtain approval from the CCU handler prior to incurring expenses for experts, consultants, investigators or other professional services. Rates, qualifications and scope of work should be discussed in advance with the CCU handler. When contacting a vendor, please identify that the services requested are for a Hartford matter to ensure Hartford rates are applied, when applicable. The Hartford will only pay for reasonable and necessary costs for the defense of the insured. Experts and consultants are also expected to provide a preliminary budget, including proposed fees and expenses. Any fees and costs will be reviewed and paid as per the Billing Guidelines governing counsel.