As many of you probably know, auditing standards require that an auditor confer with the attorneys for the audited entity about certain types of loss contingencies, such as pending litigation and unasserted claims. During this process, the audited entity/client asks that its attorneys respond to the “legal audit letter.” Some attorneys may view this procedure as cumbersome and perhaps even annoying, but it is a required element of the auditing process and must be taken seriously. This is especially so because the attorney’s response …
Continue ReadingLATEST INSIGHTS
Ethical Advertising on LinkedIn
Most professionals utilize a LinkedIn profile and/or a professional Facebook page. A large proportion of LinkedIn’s 150 million users are professionals; about 2% of which are attorneys. The proliferation of social media use by professionals has sparked debate regarding the collision between ethics and online marketing. This is particularly so because the standard, one-size-fits-all format available to social media users do not take into account that many professionals must adhere to state specific ethical rules when advertising. This gap has prompted some serious ethical concerns.…
Continue ReadingWhen a Settlement Unhinges: Failure to Document a Mediated Agreement
Mediation is intended to facilitate the expeditious resolution of disputes. Often, mediation offers the ideal setting to promote productive conversation and settlement discussions. Skilled mediators know the right buttons to press, highlight strengths and weaknesses, and allow the parties an opportunity to “be heard,” all of which can go a long way toward settling a dispute. But, mediation does not always go as intended particularly when the terms of a proposed agreement are not documented.
In Willingboro Mall v. Franklin Avenue, available here, …
Continue ReadingA-Rod: Not Going Down without a (Malpractice) Fight
Alex Rodriguez’s newest target is apparently the Yankees’ team physician. According to reports, A-Rod is exploring a potential malpractice suit against team doctors for “deliberately misdiagnosing” an injury that may have contributed to his woeful performance in 2012.
ESPN and other news outlets report that as part of a multi-pronged public relations battle aimed at A-Rod’s (many) critics, he is now preparing to file a medical malpractice suit against Yankee’s team doctor, Chris Ahmad, for his treatment of Rodriguez last October. According …
Continue ReadingThe Inevitable Question: Who Hired You?
Invariably, during the representation of a professional, defense counsel may be asked by his or her adversary: who hired you? For a variety of reasons, opposing counsel may be interested in whether you were retained directly by the professional or you were appointed as defense counsel by an insurance company. A perfectly reasonable and appropriate response to this question could be: it’s none of your business.
In most scenarios, the identify of who pays an attorney’s invoices is not considered privileged information. In other words, …
Continue ReadingLessons Associated with the Professional Liability Insurance Application
All professionals who maintain professional liability insurance are familiar with the insurance application. When completing the application, professionals must make decisions regarding the type and amount of coverage, and the costs for the premium and deductible. Moreover, the professional must provide information that the insurance company’s underwriter will rely upon to weigh the risks of insuring that professional. Notably, many PL applications request historical information regarding threatened or potential litigation. This question, perhaps more than others, has led to significant coverage issues and presents a …
Continue ReadingTime to Revisit your Password
It is time to revisit your password because it may be susceptible to an easy hack. The risk of cyber loss is well documented. We’ve routinely warned of these risks previously and, no doubt, will continue to do so because cyber losses are reportedly increasing, and the cost to recover from a data breach can be staggering. All professionals maintain personally identifiable data that would be a goldmine to hackers. Most professionals – hopefully all – at the very least utilize the most fundamental type …
Continue ReadingDoes Malpractice Insurance Cover Fee Disputes?
You may be surprised to learn that some professional malpractice policies do not cover fee disputes. Professional liability insurance is an essential component of every professional’s practice, helping to mitigate risk in malpractice actions. But many professional liability policies may leave professionals to fend for themselves in one of the most fundamental aspects of the practice: collecting fees for services rendered. This limitation was recently highlighted by Louisiana’s Western District Court in Pias v. Cont’l Cas. Co., No. 2:13-cv-00182 (W.D. La. Aug. 6, 2013).…
Continue ReadingLife for the Employer After a Discrimination Claim
The workplace is often incredibly uncomfortable following an employee’s claim of work-related discrimination. The employer must balance its goal of productivity and profit while maintaining employee morale and equality on the job. At times, an employer facing a charge of discrimination may feel hamstrung by the looming charge and may permit employee conduct that was otherwise sanctionable out of fear of what may be perceived as retaliation against the employee for filing a charge. But, as the recent decision out of the Seventh Circuit proves, …
Continue ReadingABA’s Blawg 100 – Nominations Due August 9th
The ABA Journal is putting together its annual list of the 100 best legal blogs, based on reader votes. As publishers of Professional Liability Matters, we are proud to be considered for this prestigious list — and we would be honored if you would help. If you enjoy visiting Professional Liability Matters, and believe it is worthy of industry recognition, please click here to visit the ABA Blawg 100 Amici page and nominate us before the August 9 deadline. Thank you!…
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