Experience

Insurance Recovery

Hanson Bridgett has handled thousands of claims against insurance companies, helping clients recover money for losses suffered and for the legal costs of defending themselves in litigation.

We know how insurance companies operate and how to devise the best strategy for recovering funds without incurring excess costs or engaging in unnecessary conflicts. We also have expertise in industries in which these disputes arise, which has been instrumental in our recovering millions of dollars for our clients.

We have handled a broad array of claims and losses, from alleged construction defects to environmental claims to cyber risks and liabilities. Our clients include construction companies dealing with property damage, businesses facing liability claims for bodily injury, property owners seeking to recoup pollution clean-up costs, and company officials seeking to recover their legal costs after being sued.

Our Services

Through our experience, we know how to quickly evaluate a claim, gauging the dynamics of the case and whether to negotiate, litigate, or settle. We often can resolve a coverage dispute without litigation. If necessary, however, we have the expertise and resources to litigate these cases quickly and efficiently. Our attorneys have successfully resolved claims in courts – as well as in arbitration proceedings – throughout California and other parts of the United States.

A key part of our approach is to understand each client’s pressure points – how concerned they are about costs, and whether they are reluctant to litigate or adverse to certain risks. We consider our services an investment for our clients as we strategize how to recover insurance funds without being distracted by issues peripheral to the dispute . As part of that approach, each case is staffed with a partner with a background in the industry and the types of policies involved.

Construction Claims

Hanson Bridgett assists clients with claims in a variety of industries, including construction, one of our significant areas of practice. We have successfully resolved claims covering major residential, commercial, industrial, and public works projects on behalf of clients that include general contractors, subcontractors, developers, and owners. We are well versed in the many project-specific and general policies involved in construction. These policies include the following:

• Builder’s Risk
• Commercial General Liability (CGL)
• Delay in Completion
• Difference in Conditions
• Errors and Omissions, Professional Liability (E&O)
• Excess and Umbrella Liability
• Inland Marine
• Pollution Liability, Environmental Remediation
• Rectification and other coverages for design defects
• Wrap-ups, such as OCIPs, CCIPs, and other project-wide coverages

Directors and Officers Claims

We have negotiated claims for current and former officers and directors, as well as businesses, successfully obtaining coverage for defense costs and indemnity when they’re sued. We are adept at negotiating all aspects of coverage, from tender through litigation for declaratory relief, breach of contract, and bad faith. We work closely with our firm's Business Section to obtain practical results, mindful of the impact of litigation on companies and their executives.

Environmental Claims

Hanson Bridgett represents clients in obtaining insurance funds related to pollution conditions, clean-up costs, and other environmental claims. Our clients include property owners and developers, tenants and former operators, and general contractors and subcontractors. We also work closely with the firm’s Real Estate & Environment Section attorneys and other attorneys to assist clients in maximizing recoveries from insurers.

A Range of Industries

Other industries in which we have recovered insurance funds for clients include the following:

• Food and Beverage
• Labor and Employment
• Payment Processing
• Senior Housing and Care
• Shopping Centers
• Transportation and Logistics

Policies

We have experience in securing funds for our clients under a wide range of policies. They include:

• Business Interruption, Time-Element Losses
• Commercial Auto, Trucking, Transportation
• Commercial General Liability (CGL)
• Commercial Property
• Cyber Liability, Data Breach
• Employment Practices Liability (EPL)
• Errors and Omissions, Professional Liability (E&O)
• Excess and Umbrella Liability
• Fiduciary Liability
• Flood
• Homeowners
• Pollution Liability, Environmental Remediation
• Product Contamination and Recall
• Representations and Warranties