Litigating Broker Liability for Trucking Accident Injury Claims: Theories of Liability, Defenses, Preemption

Mr. Kestner has extensive experience with truck accident cases, both as a private attorney and representative for trucking insurers. Prior to founding his law firm, Mr. Kestner served for 10 years as a claims adjuster and litigation manager with one of the largest tractor trailer insurers in the U.S. He now uses this defense experience to represent individuals injured by the negligent acts of trucking companies. Mr. Kestner has also served as personal counsel to policyholders in disputes with their insurers as well as serving as an expert witness in insurance litigation matters. He sits on the Executive Committee of AAJ’s Interstate Trucking Litigation Group, he is the Amicus Committee Chair for AAJ’s Interstate Trucking Litigation Group and its Special Project Director.

Mr. Bertkau provides litigation defense for large and small corporations and individuals, including cases where his clients are self-insureds or insured by insurance companies. He primarily concentrates his practice on legal representation in all areas of transportation litigation, including casualty claims, cargo claims, and insurance coverage. Mr. Bertkau also provides legal representation for cases involving all areas of construction litigation, including construction injury and construction defect litigation. He handles matters from the initial inception of a claim through trial, including post-judgment appellate work. Mr. Bertkau's responsibilities include managing clients' files from the event/incident through resolution, and he works with clients to prepare and implement a strategy for defense from the initial investigation. His litigation experience extends throughout the state of Illinois.