More often lately I am retained for litigation support purposes. While I am not an attorney, what I am clearly seeing in the market is that litigators and their clients often have reasonable cases but they have little ability to understand the nuances of the market, best practices, reasonable expectations, and how the market works in general. My role, as one of the litigation support advisors, is to bring them up to speed regarding the issues at hand, offer my opinion on what is reasonable and what is not, perform research, provide technical resources, discover legitimate opportunity and angles for their arguments, find applicable experts and generally organize and coordinate all things life insurance.
Recent cases include a situation where a large organization CEO died before the agent put a policy in force on a timely basis. Another case involved a bank CEO who was party to a significant split dollar agreement which was tied in to a severance package/employment agreement. The plan was a disaster and there was no ongoing management by the agent or employer and the employment agreement was violated.
A couple of situations involved actual mistakes (ultimately admitted when presented with definitive proof) made on the part of insurance carriers where we were able to obtain contract remediation or settlements.
Recently, I got a $2,000,000 settlement for a client who was the victim of fraud and didn’t even know it until I informed him.
I’ve even acted as an expert witness in a murder trial regarding life insurance.
The bottom line is that if I agree with the argument on the table and I believe it has merit, I’ll go to the ends of the earth to find and coordinate what is needed for the litigation or arbitration at hand.
Litigation support for life insurance can be a crucial part of the legal process. It is necessary in order to help ensure that policyholders receive their due benefits, as well as to protect insurers from non-payment and other liabilities. The most important aspect of litigation support for life insurance is the analysis of all relevant documents related to a case and the presentation of findings in court on behalf of claimants or defendants. This includes examining medical records, contracts, death certificates, and beneficiary designations to determine if any issues should be raised during litigation. Additionally, experts may be called upon to provide testimony about technical aspects of the policy involved in the dispute.
Litigation Support advisors also assist clients by helping them understand their rights under an existing policy and ensure that all legal requirements are met. They can also provide information to help the court understand the complexities of life insurance policies. This may include providing insight into industry standards, trends, or regulatory considerations.
In addition to litigation support, experts may also be called upon to assist in settlement negotiations and other aspects of dispute resolution. As such, they must have an excellent understanding of both state and federal laws related to life insurance. Their expertise can also be useful when it comes to helping clients identify potential parties who may need to be named in a lawsuit or settlement agreement.
Ultimately, litigation support is essential for anyone involved in the legal process surrounding a life insurance policy dispute. It provides valuable insight into existing laws and helps ensure that all parties involved get their due rights and benefits. By working with a qualified litigation support advisors, claimants and defendants can feel confident that their best interests are being looked after.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Litigation support refers to the professional services provided to attorneys and law firms during legal proceedings, particularly in cases involving complex financial data or disputes. At OC Consulting Group, we assist by analyzing financial records, preparing expert reports, performing forensic accounting, valuing assets or businesses, and offering expert testimony when needed. Our role is to deliver clear, defensible, and data-driven insights that help strengthen a client’s legal position.
Litigation support is valuable in a wide range of legal matters, including:
Business disputes and partnership dissolutions
Divorce proceedings and marital asset divisions
Economic damages and lost profits cases
Fraud investigations
Breach of contract cases
Shareholder or fiduciary disputes
OC Consulting Group specializes in cases where financial accuracy and clarity are critical for fair and successful outcomes.
While the two roles often overlap, a forensic accountant focuses on investigating and interpreting financial evidence, often to detect fraud or misconduct. A litigation support specialist, on the other hand, may also provide expert testimony, assist with case strategy, analyze damages, and help attorneys understand the financial implications of a case. At OC Consulting Group, we offer both forensic accounting and broader litigation support services to ensure a comprehensive approach.
Yes. Our team includes professionals with experience serving as qualified expert witnesses in legal proceedings. We can present findings clearly in depositions or courtrooms, support our opinions with detailed analysis, and withstand cross-examination. Whether in state or federal court, our expert testimony is grounded in integrity, accuracy, and objectivity.
Engaging a litigation support professional early in the case is crucial. The sooner OC Consulting Group is involved, the more we can assist with discovery planning, document review, strategy development, and preliminary analysis. Early involvement helps attorneys build a stronger case, avoid surprises, and stay ahead in complex financial disputes.
