Senior Litigation Attorney

University of Florida • Gainesville, FL

3d

About The Position

This position involves identifying, investigating, analyzing, and evaluating medical, legal, and fiscal issues related to covered claims against SIP participants. The role requires coordinating and managing litigation processes, including responding to discovery, retaining experts, preparing witnesses, and developing defense strategies. Additionally, the position is responsible for managing and resolving claims, including pre-suit legal and administrative processes, and identifying risk factors that contribute to claims and suits. The Senior Litigation Attorney will also review contracts and affiliation agreements for liability exposure, provide support for administrative proceedings related to medical licenses, and perform other assigned duties. This includes preparing and representing covered entities at unsworn statements and depositions, and conducting legal research and writing.

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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Identify, investigate, analyze, and evaluate medical, legal, and fiscal issues related to covered claims (potential or asserted) against SIP participants.
• Conduct full factual investigations of assigned claims files and evaluate claims in terms of negligence, causation, and compensable damages.
• Present initial claims summaries to SIP internal committees and prepare claim summaries with indemnity and allocated loss expense reserve recommendations.
• Serve as advisor to and investigator for the SIP Program Council and its Claims and Litigation Committee.
• Coordinate and manage litigation processes in defense of lawsuits filed based on covered claims.
• Monitor and continue the full factual investigation of asserted claims through litigation.
• Coordinate and ensure timely response to interrogatories and production.
• Track the progress of all assigned cases in litigation to ensure aggressive proactive defense and claims resolution within the timeframe set by SIP management.
• Initiate employment and retention of experts, and prepare witnesses for depositions and trials.
• Assist outside legal counsel in preparing fact and expert witnesses for depositions and during depositions.
• Develop defense strategies and assist in selecting outside legal counsel.
• Participate at all significant hearings, depositions, mediations, and trials.
• Monitor files to ensure appropriate reserves are in place and payments remain within authorized limits.
• Coordinate, manage, and resolve (including denying, settling, or defending) all covered claims with or without notice of intent.
• Coordinate, manage, and execute all pre-suit legal and administrative processes required by Florida statute.
• Prepare timely appropriate responses to pre-suit information requests and production.
• Track the progress of all assigned cases in pre-suit to ensure appropriate responses, negotiations, and settlement offers or denials are accomplished.
• Participate in unsworn statements and other pre-suit discovery.
• Meet with and prepare fact and expert witnesses for deposition and trial.
• Attend depositions throughout the United States, and occasionally in foreign countries.
• Identify risk factors that cause or contribute to claims and suits.
• Coordinate and ensure assigned files are reviewed and analyzed for potential loss prevention activities.
• Collaborate directly with the SIP Loss Prevention staff to identify potential risks and opportunities for loss reduction.
• Recommend activities to mitigate or remove identified factors and assist in following-up on loss prevention programs.
• Provide advice and assistance on an immediate access basis regarding patient care liabilities and protocols related to loss prevention.
• Conduct in-service education programs, seminars, and topical presentations for faculty physicians, residents, nurses, or other healthcare providers.
• Develop loss prevention awareness through regular interaction with healthcare providers.
• Review and track proposed and existing contracts, affiliation agreements, marketing materials, and other items submitted by insureds for assessing and determining liability exposure.
• Provide investigative and administrative management supporting healthcare providers subjected to administrative proceedings related to their medical license.
• Facilitate procuring legal counsel for these providers.
• Prepare witnesses employed or formerly employed by covered entities for unsworn statements in pre-suit discovery.
• Represent covered entities at unsworn statements and depositions, with prior approval.
• Perform a variety of legal work, including preparing memos of law, legal responses, preparing witnesses before trial, and legal research.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior