In connection with its recovery of insurance benefits for clients who have suffered mass tort losses, Shapiro, Rodarte & Freedman LLP has also achieved considerable success in negotiating class action settlements as well as operating claims facilities arising out of these settlements.

Mass tort losses frequently involve class action claims and allegations. Not only must any settlement of class action claims comply with evolving procedural and constitutional requirements, but such settlements should also be structured, if possible, to maximize insurance coverage for the resulting payments to class members. SR&F has considerable experience in the negotiation and drafting of insurance-friendly class action settlements in the United States (and large, country-wide settlements of individual claims in Europe and Asia). The firm has also used the litigation expertise of its principals to assist its clients in shepherding such settlements through the court approval process.

Once class action settlements have received judicial approval, they frequently result in the creation of claims facilities which process the claims of class members for payments required by the settlement. The work of such claims facilities typically involves the review and analysis of claimant medical records, ongoing negotiation with class counsel in connection with the resolution of disputed claims, and the adjudication of claims (often through special dispute resolution mechanisms created by the settlement) where necessary. SR&F's considerable experience in setting up and operating these claims facilities as well as the firm's unique perspective (as coverage counsel to the class action defendant) enables the firm to obtain insurer support and reimbursement of the resulting expenditures.