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AGENDA
Tuesday, April 7th
7:30am – 8:30am: Breakfast / Registration
8:30am – 8:45am: Welcome & Opening Remarks
8:45am – 9:35am: (General Session) Litigation Update
He’s back! Join Mike McKenna as he highlights the year as well as what the Courts have been up to and how it impacts you.
9:40am – 10:30am: (General Session) CAT Claim Fraud – What The Hail Is Going On?
Over the past decade, the first-party property insurance industry has experienced a dramatic increase in fraud and other abuses in the CAT claim process. These abuses come in many forms – inflated estimates, reclaiming old damage, fraudulent invoices, baseless supplements, manipulation of the appraisal process, and fabricated damage. This session will explore the claims, underwriting, policy form, and legislative solutions available to address these abuses.
10:30am – 11:00am: Networking Break
11:00am – 11:50am: (General Session) Lithium-Ion Batteries
Lithium-Ion batteries are used in everything from cellphones to electric vehicles today. Learn about the new risks associated with Lithium-Ion batteries. It is important to understand the care and safety measures that help to prevent catastrophic battery failures and subsequent fires. Discover the best information sources for Lithium-Ion battery risk mitigation and progress toward formal code development to address Lithium-Ion battery safety. Review unique, Lithium-Ion battery applications, such as micromobility devices, and how local fire incidents affect jurisdictional and first-responder measures.
12:00pm – 1:15pm: Lunch
1:15pm – 2:05pm: (Breakout Sessions) Construction Accident Litigation, Statutory Employer (Yoder) Subcontractors, Duty to Defend, Identification and Liability of Plaintiff’s Employer.
This presentation will center around common issues associated with construction site accidents. Issues discussed will include the recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision regarding the immunity of a statutory employer (Yoder case) jobsite safety issues, OSHA multi-employer duties, liability for subcontractor’s actions, contractual provisions including analysis of duties to indemnify and defend owners and general contractors, tendering of defenses down to subcontractors, including plaintiff’s employer, how to keep plaintiff’s employer on the hook for liability for accidents arising out of the subcontractor’s work (including waiver of Workers’ Compensation immunity under indemnification clauses and review of common commercial liability policy provisions and endorsements regarding additional insureds including examples of actual cases including contracts, site photographs, videos. Also examples of pleadings in Civil Action Complaints, New Matter to raise as well as sample Cross-Claims for negligence, breach of contract as well as tender of defense and indemnification Cross-Claims.
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Glenn A Ricketti, Esq., Partner at Margolis Edelstein and Kathryn L. Sears, Associate at Margolis Edelstein
The Verdict is In - How Your Claim Investigation Shaped the Outcome
It is the day after a major weather event and as the property claims start rolling in, litigation is the farthest thing from anyone’s mind. However, what actions your company’s property adjuster’s take at this moment will dictate not only whether the claim ends up in litigation, but your chances of success should litigation ensue. In this presentation, the panel will highlight the latest tactics utilized insured’s counsel, contractors and public adjuster as they seek to take advantage of inside property adjusters. This presentation will connect the dots between your claim investigation and how that shapes the outcome of the litigation.
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Scott Rybny, Thomas, Thomas & Hafer LLP; Mark Kosh, Goodville; & Dan Petrilli, Horst, Krekstein & Runyon
2:15pm – 3:05pm: (General Session) Turning Challenging Conversations into Productive Dialogue
We engage in difficult conversations every day. Time and again both sides leave those conversations frustrated and without resolution. This presentation explores strategies for engaging in difficult discussions while maintaining professionalism, empathy, and clarity. We focus on techniques that help move conversations beyond conflict or defensiveness toward understanding, problem-solving, and constructive outcomes.
3:05pm – 3:30pm: Networking Break
3:30pm – 4:20pm: (Breakout Sessions) From Submission to Settlement: Streamlining Life and General Claims
This presentation provides practical guidance for all levels of claims professionals across all lines for efficiently and effectively opening, investigating, and resolving claims. The presentation is tailored to provide useful information for all levels of professionals, from ground-level claims handles to C-Suite executives.
Subrogation Uncovered: From First Notice to Recovery
Subrogation is a critical component of the claims process that directly impacts loss allocation and recovery outcomes. This discussion will address the subrogation process for claims professionals at every experience level, covering the fundamentals as well as the recurring pitfalls that can jeopardize recovery. We will walk through the lifecycle of a subrogation claim, from early identification and notice through investigation, evidence preservation, and ultimate recovery, while focusing on practical, real-world strategies. Particular attention will be given to evidence preservation and spoliation issues, including how to properly secure physical evidence, coordinate inspections, and avoid procedural missteps that can undermine a viable recovery claim. Whether you are new to subrogation or have years of experience handling complex losses, this session will provide actionable guidance to strengthen your files, protect recovery rights, and avoid preventable exposure.
4:30pm – 6:00pm: Networking Reception
Wednesday, April 8th
7:30am – 8:30am: Continental Breakfast / Registration
8:30am – 8:45am: Opening Remarks & Door Prizes
8:45am – 9:35am: (General Session) - Civil Rico and Insurance Fraud - A National Perspective
This presentation will explore the recent trend of mass RICO filings and dive into the intended and unintended consequences. Cases, trends, benefits and pitfalls will all be explored to provide a better legal understanding on how this tool is to be used efficiently.
9:35am – 10:00am: Break
10:00am – 10:50am: (Breakout Sessions) Navigating Multi-Defendant Claims: Settlement Strategy, Risk Allocation, and Defense Coordination
Claims involving multiple defendants present unique procedural, strategic, and financial considerations that require deliberate planning from the outset. This session provides a structured framework for handling and resolving claims where liability, exposure, and defense obligations are shared among several parties. We will address practical strategies for resolving claims on behalf of the insured both before and after litigation is filed, including the advantages of early settlement that may leave remaining defendants exposed. The program will examine joint tortfeasor settlements in detail—analyzing release language, allocation provisions, and the effect of settlement on defense obligations and the insured’s continued involvement in the litigation.
Additional discussion will focus on joint defense cooperation agreements, the strategic use (and risks) of shared experts, and the pitfalls of relying on co-defendants’ expert witnesses who may later exit the case. Attendees will leave with actionable guidance on minimizing unnecessary trial participation, managing defense costs efficiently, and protecting the insured’s position in complex, multi-party litigation
e-Bikes and e-Vehicles
At this point, we have likely all seen an e-bike or e-scooter on the roads, but should we? PennDot and the legislature have defined what these mobility devices are and where they belong but that does not mean the people using them (or their attorneys) understand what they are, where you can ride them, and who should be on them. The insurance implications and coverage questions facing the riders, insurers, and public at large add another complicated layer to this novel and growing form of transportation.
10:50am – 11:00am: Break with lunch to go or to eat during the last session
11:00am – 11:50am: (Breakout Sessions) Condominium Conundrum (Acts, Liability, & HO6 and HOA master policies)
Condominium Conundrum highlights issues insurers encounter in navigating claims arising out of HO-6 and HOA policies, including the interaction between the condominium documents and the Condominium Act. The discussion will include first party property as well as third party issues including the effect of subrogation waivers and strict liability provisions.
Proper Way to Handle Sex Trafficking Claims
Are Human Sex Trafficking Claims the next big exposure for the insurance industry? With recent media coverage of high profile individuals, there is not only increased attention being drawn to the issue but also greater judicial scrutiny. The purpose of this seminar is to not only provide attendees with developments at the legislative level, but also information so that attendees can adequately investigate claims with as much compassion as possible.
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Scott Rybny, Thomas, Thomas & Hafer LLP; Joe Massaro, PA Restaurant & Lodging Association; & Greenlee Partners
11:50am – 12:00pm: Closing Remarks
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