Insurance Law

The attorneys in the insurance litigation practice group at Locher Pavelka Dostal Braddy & Hammes, LLC pride themselves on the quality and efficiency of the representation they provide to insurers and their insureds in the increasingly complex, high-stakes legal challenges confronting the insurance industry. Our insurance attorneys are dedicated to providing prompt, efficient and zealous representation and are recognized for incorporating innovative and cost-effective measures to meet client goals.

Representation of Insurers and Insureds

Our insurance litigation attorneys provide general insurance defense in both first-party and third-party claims arising under all property, casualty, and specialty lines of insurance. We represent insurers, individuals, political subdivisions and business entities in cases involving all types of tort claims including negligence, premises liability, construction liability, construction defect, products liability, strict liability, professional negligence, and federal tort claims such as admiralty and maritime law claims, and Federal Employers Liability Act (F.E.L.A.) claims.

The attorneys in our insurance litigation group are also experienced in dealing with lien issues, subrogation investigations, evaluations and claims, and matters involving claims of contribution and indemnity, both common law and contractual.

We also provide workers compensation insurance defense, loss evaluation and adjustment, advice and counsel with special investigations, examinations under oath and expert witness services.

Insurance Coverage Analysis

Our attorneys regularly assist insurers in analyzing and evaluating insurance coverage issues pursuant to Nebraska and Iowa law. We provide insurance policy interpretation, coverage analysis and litigation, including declaratory judgment actions, reservations of rights letters, declinations of coverage letters and coverage opinion letters for all lines of insurance, including Property, Homeowners, Business Owners, Personal and Commercial Automobile, Comprehensive, Commercial General Liability ("CGL"), Umbrella, Excess, Directors and Officers ("D&O"), Errors & Omissions ("E&O"), Professional Liability, Livestock and In-land Marine.

Our attorneys have served as expert witnesses in coverage disputes in litigated cases in the courts of Nebraska and Iowa. We also accept referrals from other attorneys and clients to protect parties involved in coverage disputes and have been engaged in protecting the interests of both insureds and insurers in disputes relating to the extent and priority of coverages. Our representation has also included participation in alternative dispute resolution procedures addressing both underlying actions and coverage disputes with all effected parties to facilitate full and final resolutions resulting in general releases and policy holder's releases.

Claims Handling Procedures

The insurance attorneys at Locher Pavelka Dostal Braddy & Hammes, LLC offer guidance and advice with respect to appropriate claims handling procedures, which help our clients avoid bad faith and insurance coverage litigation. We provide claims professionals the necessary information to modify and improve claims handling procedures through documentation, proper procedures for the denial of claims, issuing reservation of rights letters, knowledge of how claim files are used in court, and give insurers direction on effective methods to avoid pitfalls that could lead to exposure in bad faith and unfair trade practices claims.

If you are an insurer and need effective representation for you or your insured, please contact Locher Pavelka Dostal Braddy & Hammes, LLC.