Claims Attorney

Description

Work where every moment matters.

Every day, over 30,000 Hartford HealthCare colleagues come to work with one thing in common: Pride in what we do, knowing every moment matters here.  We invite you to become part of Connecticut’s most comprehensive healthcare network. 

Hartford HealthCare’s unified culture enhances access, affordability, equity and excellence. Its care-delivery system- with more than 500 locations serving 185 towns and cities- includes two tertiary-level teaching hospitals, an acute-care community teaching hospital, an acute-care hospital and trauma center, three community hospitals, a behavioral health network, a multispecialty physician group, a clinical care organization, a regional home care system, an array of senior care services, a mobile neighborhood health program and a comprehensive physical therapy and rehabilitation network. On average, Hartford HealthCare touches more than 23,000 lives every single day. The unique, system-wide Institute Model offers a unified high standard of care in crucial specialties at hospital and ambulatory sites across Connecticut offering unparalleled expertise at the most affordable cost. The institutes include: Ayer Neuroscience, Behavioral Health, Cancer, Digestive Health, Heart and Vascular, Orthopedics and Tallwood Urology & Kidney.

Hartford Healthcare Corporation (“HHC”) manages and resolves all professional and general liability claims covered by HHC’s subsidiary Hartford HealthCare Indemnity Services, Ltd. (HHCISL).  HHCISL also provides medical professional liability coverage for licensed healthcare providers who are employees of HHC affiliates and offers professional liability coverage to over 1000 voluntary attending physicians who are members of the medical staffs of HHC’s hospitals and organizations.

Position Summary:

The Claims Attorney will be responsible for overseeing the management of a segment of the professional liability claims, conducting thorough analysis and investigations necessary to determine claims exposure and recommend appropriate settlement strategies and action plans. The Claims Attorney will work in a collaborative environment in service to the mission of a growing healthcare system.

Key Accountabilities:

• Manage and oversee professional liability claims, working with a team of claims professionals to achieve a timely, fair and efficient resolution of matters
• Manage a caseload of complex professional liability claims, effectively participating when appropriate in internal fact investigation, settlement negotiations, mediations, arbitrations and trials.
• Present cases under management to claims committees for input on standard of care and for settlement authority.
• Responsibly utilize case reserving and settlement authority within established levels
• Assure appropriate documentation and use of claims management system
• Assure accountability for auditing and approval of claims expenses and litigation fees
• Juggle numerous competing priorities and perform in a continually changing legal, regulatory, and clinical environment
• Develop and maintain effective and respectful working relationships with company employees at all levels, including risk managers, patient safety and quality, senior management and business managers
• Keep abreast of legal developments and continue legal education in substantive areas and litigation practices, particularly in the area of professional liability and healthcare liability
• Demonstrate diversity in thought and experience
• Work closely with external counsel on appropriate matters to develop and drive overall litigation strategy, ensure compliance with company policies, and drive cost savings
• Work with minimal supervision, works well on a team, demonstrates excellent oral and written communication, and develops new areas of sub-specialty as needs may arise
• Utilize excellent judgment, client counseling, multi-tasking, and decision-making skills

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school with a license to practice law in Connecticut or ability to become an active member in one year, and outstanding academic credentials
  

• Certification in risk management or insurance and adjusters license in Connecticut a plus

• Five plus years of relevant experience with emphasis on resolving professional liability claims

• Knowledge of federal and state health care regulations preferred

• Health law regulatory knowledge preferred 

• Experience advising complex organizations with interaction between multiple legal entities

• Proficiency in legal research, including Lexis, Westlaw & other research tools, as well as technology used in operations, such as claims management systems

• Strong analytical, inter-personal, drafting, negotiation, written and verbal communication skills

• Excellent organizational skills and high level of attention to detail and accuracy

• Previous experience with academic medical centers, physician group practices, and/or health care delivery systems either in-house or at a large law firm preferred

• Collegial, possesses mature interpersonal skills and is able to quickly adapt to changing demands

• Writing samples and references will be requested

We take great care of careers.

With locations around the state, Hartford HealthCare offers exciting opportunities for career development and growth.  Here, you are part of an organization on the cutting edge – helping to bring new technologies, breakthrough treatments and community education to countless men, women and children.  We know that a thriving organization starts with thriving employees-- we provide a competitive benefits program designed to ensure work/life balance.  Every moment matters.  And this is your moment.