Construction Defect Adjuster

Sedgwick•Telecommuter IL, IL

9d•$88,000 - $120,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Commercial General Liability (CGL) Claims Adjuster is responsible for the end-to-end handling of complex third-party bodily injury and property damage claims arising under commercial general liability policies. This role requires advanced expertise in coverage analysis, liability determination, litigation management, and risk transfer, particularly across multi-jurisdictional and construction-related exposures. The adjuster is expected to proactively manage claim outcomes, control loss costs, and ensure compliance with client service standards, regulatory requirements, and internal quality expectations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
Adjuster licensing as required by jurisdiction(s) handled.
Minimum of 5+ years of commercial general liability claims handling experience required; experience with litigated and construction-related claims strongly preferred.
Strong understanding of CGL coverage, policy interpretation, and jurisdictional differences
Experience managing litigated claims and working with defense counsel
Knowledge of construction defect, additional insured coverage, and risk transfer strategies
Ability to assess liability, damages, and exposure in complex loss scenarios
Strong negotiation and settlement skills
Excellent written and verbal communication, including drafting coverage correspondence and client reports
Proficiency in claims systems and Microsoft Office applications
Demonstrated organization, attention to detail, and time management
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, team-driven environment
Proven ability to meet or exceed performance, quality, and compliance metrics

Nice To Haves

experience with litigated and construction-related claims strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Independently investigate and manage a full caseload of CGL claims, including but not limited to premises liability, slip and fall, product liability, construction defect and construction-related losses, and contractual liability exposures.
Drive timely claim resolution through proactive file management, strategic planning, and adherence to best practices in diary management and documentation.
Analyze complex policy language, including insuring agreements, endorsements, exclusions (e.g., ongoing/completed operations, additional insured provisions), and limits to determine coverage applicability.
Draft clear, defensible coverage position letters, including reservation of rights and denial letters, consistent with jurisdictional requirements and client expectations.
Conduct comprehensive liability investigations, including: Review and analysis of incident reports, contracts, lease agreements, and indemnification provisions Identification and application of contractual risk transfer provisions Obtaining and evaluating recorded statements, expert opinions, photographs, and surveillance Evaluate injury severity, medical treatment, and long-term exposure, including review of medical records, bills, and independent medical evaluations (IMEs) where applicable.
Establish, maintain, and adjust reserves in accordance with claim developments and severity exposure.
Manage litigated files, including the retention and direction of defense counsel.
Provide strategic oversight on litigation plans, budgets, pleadings, discovery, and dispositive motions.
Participate in mediations, settlement conferences, and trial preparation, ensuring alignment with client and organizational strategies.
Negotiate settlements within delegated authority while balancing cost containment and risk exposure.
Evaluate settlement value based on liability, damages, venue, and litigation risks, and escalate appropriately when exceeding authority.
Identify, evaluate, and pursue risk transfer opportunities, including: Additional insured tenders Contractual indemnity provisions Subrogation potential
Coordinate with coverage counsel, carriers, and third parties to maximize recovery and proper allocation of liability.
Maintain proactive, professional communication with insureds, claimants, brokers, clients, and internal stakeholders.
Provide detailed status updates, large loss reports, and claim summaries tailored to client-specific reporting requirements.
Maintain thorough, accurate, and timely file documentation to support claim decisions and audit readiness.
Ensure compliance with applicable state regulations, client service instructions, and internal audit and quality standards.
Participate in internal and external audits, file reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Support organizational quality initiatives, audit programs, and operational excellence efforts.
Contribute to process improvement, knowledge sharing, and team development activities as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.