Insurance Coverage/Bad Faith

RPNA has built a national reputation in the area of bad faith litigation. RPNA is wholly responsible for establishing an employer's right to sue its workers' compensation insurance carrier for bad faith.

Prior to RPNA's groundbreaking work in this area, the duties of workers' compensation carriers were limited solely to defending and settling claims on behalf of the insured employer. While this is generally the responsibility of insurance carriers, RPNA convinced the California Courts of Appeal and Supreme Court that this limited view ignores the substantial impact that poor claims handling and over reserving have on an employer's premiums.

Due to RPNA's success in published cases such as Courtesy Ambulance, Maxon Industries, Inc., Security Officers Services, Inc., Tricor California, Inc., MacGregor Yacht Corp., Joe Notrica dba Notrica's 32nd St. Markets, and Schaefer Ambulance Service, Inc., the employer community has benefited greatly.

RPNA has also successfully represented the business community in other areas of insurance bad faith. RPNA recently obtained a multi-million dollar award on behalf of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles against its professional liability insurer for acts of bad faith involving coverage.

RPNA utilizes its expertise in the insurance area to benefit its clients, often resolving disputes with insurers through negotiation, administrative actions, and mediation. RPNA is experienced in bringing matters before the California Department of Insurance, often resulting in a quicker and less expensive resolution on behalf of the client.

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