Law Firms

Contractor's Liability

Pinnacle was asked to provide a legislative costing analysis and expert testimony regarding proposed legislation that would substantially expand coverage for construction defects in Oregon. Pinnacle’s study and testimony focused not only on the current conditions of the contractors’ liability insurance market compared to other states, but also the historical changes seen when other states made similar changes. Our analysis also focused on the relationship between home warranties and commercial general liability insurance policies and how these risk mitigation techniques differ over time after a home is completed.

Legislative / Regulatory Impacts

A state medical society asked Pinnacle to evaluate the impact of a change in the state’s damage caps for non-economic damages for medical professional liability. Pinnacle worked with the medical society to identify the most appropriate claims databases to assess the legislation’s potential impact. Our detailed analysis not only considered data from that state, but several others to stress test the results and provide a range of reasonable outcomes. In addition, we performed a thorough analysis of how the state compared to other states in terms of the availability and affordability of medical professional liability insurance coverage, insurer operating results for the line, and access to healthcare in the states. Through this industry analysis, we identified differences well beyond a simple loss limitation and provide a more complete review of potential environmental changes that could be expected in the state.

Medical Malpractice Damage Caps

A state insurance regulator asked Pinnacle to determine the potential impact of several proposed tort reforms, including a change to non-economic damage caps for medical professional liability claims. Pinnacle worked with medical society to identify the most appropriate claims databases for assessing the potential legislative change. Our detailed analysis not only considered data from that state, but several others to stress test the results and provide a range of reasonable outcomes. In many cases, the specific reform’s effect, for example “I’m Sorry” legislation, was very difficult to isolate. Through this industry analysis, we identified differences well beyond a simple loss limitation to provide a more complete review of potential environmental changes that could be expected in the state.

This comprehensive analysis helped our client identify the effect of various legislative options, which empowered them to be a strong voice in the legislative debate and to influence policymaking in the state.