Senior Litigation Attorney - Gainesville OR Jacksonville

University of Florida•Gainesville, FL

About The Position

The Senior Litigation Attorney identifies, investigates, analyzes, and evaluates medical, legal, and fiscal issues related to potential or asserted covered claims against participants in the SIP program. The attorney conducts factual investigations; evaluates negligence, causation, and compensable damages; prepares claim summaries and reserve recommendations; and presents reports to SIP committees. The role also advises and investigates for the SIP Program Council and its Claims and Litigation Committee and provides assistance with SIP administrative responsibilities. The attorney coordinates and manages pre-suit and litigation matters, including claim investigations, statutory processes, responses to discovery and information requests, case tracking, negotiations, and settlement or defense strategies. Duties include retaining experts, preparing witnesses, assisting outside counsel, participating in significant hearings, depositions, mediations, and trials, and monitoring reserves and payments. The attorney manages assigned claims with or without notice of intent and works with covered entities and individuals across participating universities, medical colleges, hospitals, and affiliated facilities. The position also identifies claim-related risk factors and coordinates loss-prevention reviews and initiatives with SIP Loss Prevention staff. It may involve advising healthcare providers on patient-care liabilities and protocols, delivering education programs, reviewing contracts and other materials for liability exposure, and providing administrative support to healthcare providers involved in medical-license proceedings. The attorney performs legal research and prepares legal memoranda, responses, and witnesses. Travel is required, including attendance at depositions throughout the United States and occasionally in foreign countries. Expected salary is commensurate with education and experience.

Requirements

Law degree (L.L.B. or J.D.).
Five years of experience in the legal, medical, or healthcare fields.
Must be a member in good standing of the Florida Bar or become a member within twelve months of employment.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Internet research skills.
Ability to perform under great pressure in a multi-tasking environment.
Ability to interact with individuals of all social and economic backgrounds.

Nice To Haves

Medical malpractice claims handling experience.
Knowledge of tort law.
Knowledge of healthcare systems.
Knowledge of risk management techniques.
Demonstrated competency in medical research.
Good native intelligence.

Responsibilities

Identify, investigate, analyze, and evaluate medical, legal, and fiscal issues relating to potential or asserted covered claims against SIP participants.
Conduct full factual investigations of assigned claims and evaluate negligence, causation, and compensable damages.
Prepare claim summaries and indemnity and allocated loss expense reserve recommendations, and present summaries and reports to SIP committees.
Serve as advisor to and investigator for the SIP Program Council and its Claims and Litigation Committee, and assist with SIP administrative responsibilities.
Coordinate and manage defense litigation, including ongoing investigations, timely discovery responses, case tracking, defense strategies, and claim resolution.
Initiate the employment and retention of experts and prepare fact and expert witnesses for depositions and trial.
Assist outside legal counsel in witness preparation and depositions; select outside counsel and participate in significant hearings, depositions, mediations, and trials.
Manage assigned pre-suit claims and complete legal and administrative processes required by Florida statute, including responses to information requests and production, negotiations, settlement offers, denials, or defense.
Participate in unsworn statements and other pre-suit discovery, and represent covered entities at statements or depositions when prior approval has been obtained from the Deputy Administrator.
Monitor claim files to ensure appropriate reserves and that allocated loss expense and indemnity payments remain within authorized limits.
Travel to meet with and prepare witnesses and attend depositions throughout the United States and occasionally in foreign countries.
Identify claim-related risk factors; coordinate file reviews and documentation for loss prevention and risk reduction; collaborate with SIP Loss Prevention staff and recommend mitigation activities.
Provide advice and assistance regarding patient-care liabilities and loss-prevention protocols, conduct educational programs and presentations, and promote loss-prevention awareness among healthcare providers.
Review and track proposed and existing contracts, affiliation agreements, marketing materials, and other submitted materials to assess liability exposure.
Provide investigative and administrative management for healthcare providers facing medical-license administrative proceedings and facilitate procurement of legal counsel.
Perform legal work such as preparing memoranda of law, legal responses, witnesses before trial, and legal research.
Perform other duties and functions as assigned.