New York Partners Share Insights at Annual Casualty Claims Summit
New York Partners John V. Barbieri, Christopher L. Grayson and Melissa M. Wolin were invited to present at a private client event held by a specialty property and casualty insurance company during its Second Annual Casualty Claims Summit that was held at one of their eleven branch offices throughout the country. Due to our partners’ participation, the claims professionals in attendance received immediately applicable information and insights. The event, held in early April 2026, was an all-day conference that included personnel and business partners in the legal, forensic and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) industries. Topics ranged from effective use of independent medical examinations and film reviews, handling escalation-driven trip/slip and fall claims, risk transfer tips and strategies, investigating third-party commercial fire claims and ADR.
Litchfield Cavo Partners John Barbieri and Chris Grayson, along with client leaders in management and biomechanics, led the roundtable, “Truths & Tales about Trips and Tumbles”. Topic discussions focused on recognizing “fake” trip/slip claims from legitimate ones, spotting severity escalation patters, deploying a repeatable claims-handling playbook and utilizing biomechanical experts. A more specific topic addressed determining the appropriate claims-handling path: when to investigate, when to pay, when to litigate and when to mediate. Audience members were engaged with a “spot the fake” contest where they were invited to cast a “Legit” or “Fraud” vote after watching seven separate videos of trip/slip incidents. Sample materials included evidence preservation letters, First Notice of Loss question cards, medical timeline worksheets, and trip and tumble scene checklists were distributed to those in attendance via “digital handout packet.”
Litchfield Cavo Partner Melissa Wolin joined “Mock Mediation: Let’s Settle!,” a simulated session that included multiple defense counsel, claims professionals and professionals in the ADR space for an interactive session with participants who were provided a case packet and worked to negotiate a settlement between Plaintiff and several Defendant parties.