Coordinating a Nationwide Defense Strategy

With any business, the possibility (or reality) of being sued in various locations or at different times in the same jurisdiction is real and strategic decisions made in one case can have a substantial impact on other cases both now and in the future.

• Uniform Goals. Once a relationship has been established, RRS quickly develops an understanding of the client’s goals, and is able to tailor a nationwide defense strategy for that client. These goals may be diverse, but with the assistance of Risk Retention Services, the client’s claims and litigation handling will be consistently handled to achieve those goals, regardless of the insurer, attorney, or insurance personnel on the file.
• Uniform Defense Strategy. It is essential that everyone understand that plaintiff attorneys share information. Thus where inconsistent defense strategies are employed, such inconsistencies may be used against the company across jurisdictions. A uniform defense strategy ensures consistency across all jurisdictions, and carefully considers the effect particular actions may have on all cases.
• Uniform Discovery Strategy. Where a client has an inconsistent discovery strategy, or the secondary effects of a discovery strategy on one case are not considered, the results can be disastrous for the client both in business and in its nationwide defense of claims. While an attorney in a particular case will not know the effect that a response or document may have in another case, the effect may be substantial. Only with a uniform defense strategy can you prevent the waiver of privileges and defenses, and protect your interest to confidential documents. Risk Retention Services ensures that all attorneys, in all jurisdictions, represent your interests.
• Consistent Defenses; Serial Insurers or Lawyers. Where you do business in multiple jurisdictions, you will often find that your insurer will assign different adjusters or attorneys (even in the same jurisdiction). Further, you may change insurers over time, which means that you will have an entirely different set of players to contend with. Risk Retention Services will ensure that you are represented with a consistent defense plan nationwide, regardless of the insurer, adjuster, or attorney involved.
• Consistent Discovery Productions. By maintaining a client library of document and other discovery responses, we ensure that answers are essentially identical in all jurisdictions. While new information may require new answers to similar questions, answers should not change because of sloppiness or ignorance of previous responses. With plaintiff attorneys sharing information, prior answers to questions across the country become instantly available to them – to be used against you. This can be avoided through effective nationwide litigation management.
• Cost Effective. Many of our clients find that we perform the same services as a national coordinating counsel, at a fraction of the cost. A national defense strategy is an integral part of our litigation management, and is included in our rates, without the necessity of paying exorbitant outside fees. Further, Risk Retention Services provides a variety of consulting services that integrates the claims process into other business needs.