Reptilian Tactics: Litigating First-Party Insurance

With over 15 years of experience handling litigation matters, Mr. Acquaviva has focused his practice on defending insurance companies in lawsuits involving first-party property breach of contract, bad faith and a variety of other extra-contractual claims throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey state and federal courts. His extensive experience handling all types of first-party property claims arising under personal and business insurance policies ranges from losses arising from storms, plumbing leaks, theft, vandalism, and fire to claims involving loss of use (ALE), code upgrade, collapse and business interruption coverages. Outside of litigation, Mr. Acquaviva provides legal counseling and support to insurers throughout the claim handling process, which includes taking examinations under oath, providing coverage opinions and assisting in the investigation of suspected fraudulent claims. He has been at the forefront of providing guidance to insurers on navigating the potential pitfalls arising from the trending use of appraisal by insureds (and their public adjusters).

Dr. Ken Broda-Bahm has provided research and strategic advice on several hundred cases across the country for the past 21 years, applying a doctorate in communication emphasizing the areas of legal persuasion and rhetoric. As a tenured Associate Professor of Communication Studies, he has taught courses including legal communication, argumentation, persuasion, and research methods. He has trained and consulted in 19 countries around the world and is Past President of the American Society of Trial Consultants.

Ms. Lundquist is an attorney practicing in the areas of Skilled Nursing, Assisted Living, Home Care & Hospice and Medical Malpractice Defense. She has extensive experience representing physicians, hospitals, nursing homes and various health care providers in a variety of matters.

Mr. McHugh's practice as a Partner at HKR focuses on complex, first-party coverage disputes and the defense of extracontractual suits. With a keen sense of coverage issues and the regulatory scheme applicable to insurers, he regularly counsels his insurer clients via coverage opinions, litigation and the defense of bad faith litigation.