Melanie Morgan Norris
Insurance Company Team Co-Leader
Office:
Wheeling, WV
Laurie C. Barbe
Insurance Company Team Co-Leader
Office:
Morgantown, WV
About
About
Steptoe & Johnson’s Insurance Company Team has more than 100 years of experience providing legal service and advice to the insurance industry. Our attorneys possess a wealth of knowledge and understanding of insurance issues. We are prepared to manage insurance carriers’ complex legal issues and defend insurance companies during claim investigations.
HOW WE HAVE HELPED
HOW WE HAVE HELPED
- Preparing insurance coverage opinions
- Developing successful strategies used in federal and state courts to resolve complex insurance claims
- Defending first party cases involving bad faith claims, unfair claim settlement practices, and general first party responsibilities
- Providing advice regarding the regulatory aspects of insurance
- Insurance claim handling training
- Compliance issues, including the Unfair Trade Practices Act
- Investigating fraudulent fire and theft claims, including examinations under oath
- Investigating insurance losses for subrogation potential
Know-How
What Sets Us Apart
What Sets Us Apart
- Team dedicated to claims involving insurance coverage, bad faith, and fraud
- First Look newsletter providing a national look at first party issues
- National reach and local knowledge
- Court-specific advice regarding trial or settlement strategies
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
- Handled appeal of case for insurer brought by claimant seeking to establish per se violations of insurance bad faith statute arising from using net pay as opposed to gross pay in the settlement of claims
- Assisted insurer in defense of $400,000 property damage subrogation claim
- Defended multiple insurance companies against claims of statutory bad faith and breach of contract
- Represented insurer in arbitration proceedings involving claims for surplus lines coverage arising from mining accident
- Defended insurers at the Offices of the Insurance Commissioner against consumer complaints alleging unfair claims settlement practices
- Prosecuted cases seeking declarations of the existence or non-existence of coverage under various types of insurance policies
- Provided general insurance counseling and training to insurance companies about claim handling and avoiding claims of bad faith
