Have you spent your last few Friday nights buried underneath insurance policies and UM/UIM case law? Our experienced practitioners can bring you some relief by sharing their best practices in dealing with issues unique to UM/UIM litigation. Further enhance your side of the case and obtain insight into the mind and, better yet, strategy of your opponent. Don't miss this opportunity to hone your skills in this complex area of insurance law! Order today!

1. Evaluating the Case
2. Key Elements of UM/UIM Coverage
3. Reductions and Offsets
4. Subrogation and Liens
5. Ethical Traps to Avoid
6. Pre-Litigation Activity
7. Arbitration and Mediation
8. Trial: Beyond the Basics

1. EVALUATING THE CASE
   9:00 - 9:30, Valerie B. Bargas
   1. Initial Considerations
   2. Client Interview Pointers
   3. Recognizing an Auto Defect Case
2. KEY ELEMENTS OF UM/UIM COVERAGE
   9:30 - 10:15, Valerie B. Bargas
   1. Understanding the Statutes
   2. Case Law and Legislative Update
   3. Policy Coverage Considerations
   4. Policy Exclusions and Limitations
   5. Hit and Run Coverage
   6. Policy Arbitration Requirements
   7. Stacking Coverage and Who Pays?
   8. Rental Vehicles
3. REDUCTIONS AND OFFSETS
   10:30 - 11:15, Valerie B. Bargas
   1. Collateral Source
   2. Direct Indemnity for Medical Expense and for Basic Reparations Benefits
   3. Damages Paid by or on Behalf of Party Responsible for the Injury
   4. Damages Paid Under the Policy in Settlement of a Liability Claim
   5. Damages Paid Under Disability Benefit Law
   6. Workers' Compensation
4. SUBROGATION AND LIENS
   11:15 - 12:00, Valerie B. Bargas
   1. Legal Elements of a Subrogation Claim
   2. Typical Documentation Necessary
   3. ERISA
   4. Medicaid
   5. Medicare
   6. Bankruptcy
5. ETHICAL TRAPS TO AVOID
   1:00 - 2:00, E. Scott Hackenberg
   1. Who is the Client?
   2. Multiple Representation
   3. Fee Agreements and Retention
   4. Guarding Against Malpractice
6. PRE-LITIGATION ACTIVITY
   2:00 - 2:35, David Abboud Thomas
   1. Choice of Venue
   2. Discovery
   3. Locating and Preparing Experts
   4. Establishing Damages
   5. Voluntary Disclosures
   6. Pre-Trial Motions Practice
7. ARBITRATION AND MEDIATION
   2:50 - 3:30, E. Scott Hackenberg
   1. Motion to Compel Arbitration
   2. Mandatory or Voluntary Arbitration
   3. How the Adjuster's Settlement Authority is Restricted
   4. Arbitration Pros and Cons
   5. Proactive Steps to Avoid Bad Faith Claims
   6. Scope of Review
8. TRIAL: BEYOND THE BASICS
   3:30 - 4:30, David Abboud Thomas
   1. Jury and Non-Jury Venue
   2. Proving and Disputing Damages
   3. Introducing Evidence
   4. Utilizing Forensic Science
   5. Accident Reconstruction
   6. Demonstrating Injury Impact
   7. Direct and Cross-Examination
   8. Effective Opening and Closing Statements
   9. Motions Practice During Trial
   10. Anticipating an Appeal: Framing Issues for Appeal

VALERIE B. BARGAS is a partner in the Baton Rouge office of Kinchen Walker Bienvenu Bargas & Reed, LLC. She has concentrated her litigation practice in the areas of casualty defense (automobile, premises liability, work-related injuries), insurance defense (uninsured motorist law, bad faith claims, and coverage disputes), and medical malpractice defense. Ms. Bargas also handles estate planning, successions, and corporate law issues relevant to LLC formation and dissolution. She is a member of the Louisiana State, American and Federal bar associations, and the Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel. Ms. Bargas earned her A.B. degree, cum laude, from Smith College and her J.D degree from Tulane University.

E. SCOTT HACKENBERG is a partner with the law firm of Henchy, Verbois & Hackenberg, L.L.C., in Baton Rouge, where he concentrates in the areas of insurance defense, personal injury, construction litigation and commercial litigation. Mr. Hackenberg earned his B.A. degree from Calvin College and his J.D. degree from the Paul M. Herbert Law Center at Louisiana State University. He is a member of the Baton Rouge, Louisiana State and American bar associations.

DAVID ABBOUD THOMAS is a partner with the Baton Rouge law firm of Walters, Papillion, Thomas, Cullens, LLC. His practice centers around serious personal injury and wrongful death cases, including automobile and trucking accidents, products liability, industrial accidents, and medical malpractice. Mr. Thomas also handles selected employment and commercial cases. He is a frequent lecturer on trial strategy and tactics, having given numerous continuing legal education seminars on tri-related topics. Mr. Thomas also has spoke at seminars focusing on ethical considerations for attorneys. He graduated from Birmingham-Southern College (B.A. degree) and the Paul M. Hebert Law Center, and earned his J.D. degree from Louisiana State University. Mr. Thomas is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates; the Louisiana Association for Justice (Board of Governors, chairman of the Employment Law Section); the Louisiana State (House of Delegates), Federal and Baton Rouge bar associations; the American Association for Justice; and the American Civil Liberties Union. He serves in the leadership of several organizations.

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