Phia Group Russo & Minchoff

Florida Bar Association Eyes Creating Additional Right to Attorneys Fees for Fighting Subrogation Liens and Recoveries

Adam V. Russo | June 28, 2010

NASP, www.subrogation.org

Florida attorneys and recovery specialists should be aware that the Florida Bar Association Board of Governors is looking to adopt a rule change to the fee limits that are placed on contingency fees that will allow attorneys who fight against subrogation liens to charge a fee separate from or in excess of the contingency fee caps found in the Rules of Professional Conduct. (more…)

Colorado Anti-Subrogation Law Update

Adam V. Russo | June 17, 2010

As you may have heard, a law was just passed in Colorado which devastates subrogation and reimbursement efforts in that State, under State law. This only applies to fully funded insurance carriers, and self-funded benefit plans which obey State law, such as governmental entities and houses of worship.

Not only does C.R.S. § 10-1-135, which will become effective on August 11, 2010, institute a statutory made-whole rule; it also creates a common fund doctrine as well. (more…)

Court in Default Judgment Order Recovery From Tort Settlement Proceeds

Adam V. Russo | May 26, 2010

Very strange case where the plan participant never appears to defend herself against the efforts of the plan to obtain a judgment imposing a constructive trust or equitable lien against tort settlement proceeds. The case is ACS Recovery Services, Inc. v Kaplan, 2010 WL 144816 (N.D. Cal., Jan. 11, 2010) (more…)

Zurich American Insurance Company versus Keith O’Hara

Adam V. Russo | April 29, 2010

This case is extremely important as it stands for premise that the Plan expects premium payments and subro rights in exchange for paying benefits. Specifically, it states that subrogation defrays health insurance costs. The Defense made an argument stating that Zurich’s claim for reimbursement violates ERISA’s anti-discrimination provision but Court disagreed stating that plan language applied to all participants. This is a great case to read and cite as it brings us bases from many Circuits – even Shank. Enjoy!!

View the article here. Zurich Vs. O’Hara

2010 Client Symposium – Axia Strategies

Adam V. Russo | April 23, 2010

I am on my way back from La Jolla, CA where I presented “New Methods for Maximizing the Identification & Successful Outcome Associated With Subrogation Events” at  Axia’s 2010 Client Symposium held at The Lodge at Torrey Pines.

Click here to see my entire PowerPoint presentation.

Bankruptcy – It Is Not The End Of Your Subrogation Claim

Adam V. Russo | March 22, 2010

By Cameron D. Gray, Esq., Boteler, Mahoney & Gray, LLP, Dallas, Texas

The United States Bankruptcy Code is intended, at least in part, to give a debtor in bankruptcy relief from the demands of its creditors so that it can regroup and potentially survive those claims. It does this by shifting the playing field and changing some of the rules. But, the game is not necessarily over and there is no reason to forfeit. (more…)

Subrogation Legislation in 2009 and the Forecast for 2010

Adam V. Russo | March 22, 2010

By Daran Keifer and Kammy Poff

2009 was a banner year for those forces which seek to reduce, restrict or eliminate subrogation recoveries across all lines of business. NASP has been a flurry of legislative proposals effecting subrogation, most notably anti-subrogation bills, which affect our livelihood. Going into 2010, we need to understand the types of attacks and bills attempted this past year so we can prepare for new legislative activity regarding subrogation rights. (more…)

Southern District of New York Holds New York Collateral Source Statute Does Not Abrogate Subrogation Rights

Adam V. Russo | March 22, 2010

By Lindsey C. Bruning and Kristin C. Cummings, Zelle Hoffman Voelbel & Mason LLP, Dallas, Texas

New York, like many states, has a collateral source statute that prevents an injured party from recovering from a tortfeasor amounts that the injured party has already received from another source, such as insurance proceeds. (N.Y. C.P.L.R. 4545) CPLR 4545 requires a court to reduce any damages awarded to a plaintiff by the amount the plaintiff has received from any collateral source. (more…)

Ohio Bar Associate/ New Subrogation Committee

Adam V. Russo | March 3, 2010

The Ohio Bar Association’s new Subrogation Committee held its first meeting today to try to formulate what the purpose of this committee is. The committee developed a working statement which states as follows: “Parties injured by a wrongdoer often are not receiving full or fair compensation in part because of subrogation laws of Ohio.” The Committee does contain one subrogation attorney Dennis Rehor of Cincinnati Insurance company. The Committee will attempt to reconvene to discuss this statement of principle on April 14th, 2010 at 10:30 A.M. The Ohio Bar Association hopes to have some proposals considered again at its meeting during its yearly convention in Dayton in early May. Ohio subrogation attorneys who are members of the OSBA need to make sure they check the OSBA’s website regularly as they hope to post information regarding the work of this Committee.

Colorado HB 1168/ Amended & Passed by Judiciary Committee

Adam V. Russo | March 3, 2010

President-Elect Kenneth Levine and Amicus Committee Chair Daran Kiefer spent Monday February 22nd in Colorado with several NASP members and industry lobbyists testifying in opposition to House bill 1168. During the eight hours at the Capital, the parties supporting this bill agreed to several amendments. First, the bill was amended to eliminate property, workers’ compensation and auto subrogation from its reach. As for health subrogation, the proposed amendments require the injured party to provide information about the settlement and available limits. The amended bill calls for a rebuttable presumption of “full compensation” when insurance limits are not received. The amended bill also provides that a party’s full compensation value is equal to any jury award. The health subrogation industry will be impacted if this bill passes and becomes law in Colorado. The House Judiciary Committee approved the measure 10-0 with one abstention.

SD S 169/ Passed and Moves to the House/ Affects All Subrogation Rights

Adam V. Russo | March 3, 2010

The South Dakota bill would prohibit a subrogated insurer from participating in any recovery for “bodily injury” or “property damage” unless or until the injured party is “made whole”. S.D. Senate bill 169 failed to pass the Senate on February 22, 2010. However, the Senate reconsidered the bill on February 23rd, 2010 which resulted in a tie. The tie was broken by the Senate President and Lt. Governor. The bill now heads to the House for consideration.

New Hampshire House Bill 1259/ Attorney Fees & Expenses in Medical Subrogation

Adam V. Russo | March 3, 2010

The New Hampshire House Judiciary Committee reviewed and recommended a bill recently pertaining to contract, Medicaid or statutory subrogation rights of subrogation for “”reimbursement of medical expenses” against plaintiff’s recovery. The proposed bill requires these subrogated entities to pay costs and attorney fees to the injured party “as justice requires”. The bill does not give any direction on how the court should divide the proceeds other than “as justice requires”. However, the bill does provide a cap and states the insurance carrier, medical provider, or the state shall not be awarded more than two thirds (2/3) of the amount claimed. The bill would apply to health, auto medical payments and worker’s compensation lines of coverage. The effective date of the bill if passed would be January 1st, 2011.

Season Finale “The Deep End” 2/25/10 on ABC

Adam V. Russo | February 26, 2010

Makes Subrogation Professionals look like bad guys! Hilarious!

Click here to view episode.

Maine Bureau of Insurance Rules

Adam V. Russo | February 26, 2010

Please click below to view bulletin.

Bulletin 371

I Thought We Were Worried About Cost?

Adam V. Russo | February 17, 2010

By Chris Aguiar of The Phia Group, LLC

Can anyone disagree with the notion of affordable healthcare? No matter where you sit on the political spectrum, I would imagine it would be difficult to vote against such an idea. Over the past few months, we have witnessed contentious debate on the most effective means to provide affordable healthcare for all. One of the main points of contention on that debate, as is always the case when dealing with political matters, is cost. (more…)