How ADR Can be Used to Resolve Mass Disaster and Insurance Claims

Abstract

After wildfires tore through San Diego County in 2007, more than 2,000 law suits were filed against San Diego Gas & Electric by more than 5,000 plaintiffs. Parties included individuals, the City of San Diego, the County of San Diego, Cal FIRE, the San Diego County Parks and Recreation Department and multiple insurance carriers and underwriters. With limited court resources available for such massive litigation, plaintiffs, defendants, cross-defendants and the court were eager to find another way to resolve the disputes. What emerged was a highly sophisticated mediation program that, so far, has resulted in 98 percent of the cases settling and recovery of more than $800 million.

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