Dorson Environmental Management

Dorson is a full service environmental consulting firm specializing in insurance claims. We have provided consulting and investigative services to insurance companies for many years. We have found through our experiences that many subrogation situations are lost in two areas, improper documentation in the claims early stages, and inadequate follow through. The success of subrogation rests on the facts of the case as developed by a technical expert. In many instances we have done the oversight work, which includes evaluation of subrogation potential and fact gathering. This up front evaluation and forensic work is critical to subrogation.

Dorson has prepared and delivered thousands of technical packages in support of subrogation. We offer full service from the first demand letter up to resolution or suit. We understand the importance of timely follow ups and the prompt reporting of results. Many subrogation situations are lost as they are handed off to attorneys that are unable to follow them adequately. In our experience the involvement of attorney’s is limited or non-existent.

We combine our knowledge and experience with the client's objectives to form the most efficient investigation. The basic question is how the loss occurred. Admittedly, this question is simplistic, but without a confirmed answer, there is no way to assign liability. Dorson’s focus during liability investigations is to discover evidence and circumstances that can be used to resolve the question. When we are involved in oversight we already have extensive information. The details of the case are first obtained from the case file. Within this, we look for deviations in personal accounts of the claim, and inconsistencies within the scope that might suggest other responsible parties. Witness interviews are often used as supplemental information within the scope of the file. Dorson will contact and interview all relevant persons, one by one, starting with those closest to the problem. After contacting the witnesses, Dorson will serve as a go-between; helping to move the process along. Often, the information gleaned from simply reconfirming the facts can lessen the severity of your participation.

We specialize in understanding the intricacies of a subrogation investigation. Our subrogation investigations include but are not limited to:

Insurance claims for property, personal, and or natural resource damages are always complicated - especially when more than one party is involved and each has different levels of responsibility. Determining the liability of each party requires considerable technical skill. For example, often, only volume of waste disposed at a site forms the basis for cost allocation; however, other factors such as toxicity of the waste, mobility of the waste, site hydrogeology, etc. usually are much more important in determining a party's fair share. Depending on the circumstances, a party responsible for releasing hydraulic oil may be required to pay a different share of cleanup costs than a party responsible for releasing the same amount of degreasing or dry cleaning solvent.

Dorson is experienced in developing cost-allocation strategies that are scientifically based and provide for fair distribution of costs among all parties involved. We provide the following services:

Development of a cost-allocation formula specific to your problem site
Identification all responsible parties
Determination of your fair share of liability
Present a means to avoid paying for someone else's responsibility

We provide the information necessary for you to decide the subrogation possibilities with quick action and fast turnaround. We have experienced subrogation investigators who will focus on your case. Our experience includes:

Analyzing corporate insurance subrogation plans and programs
Conducting seminars on subrogation issues
Closed file review
Loss scene investigations
Knowledge of relevant codes
Experienced in inter-company arbitration

Subrogation can be a slow moving process that sometimes gets bogged down in bureaucracy and lack of focus. The highest level of success is achieved by:

Using a consultant/investigator (not an adjuster) when the claim is perceived to be large, complex or likely to involve subrogation
Obtaining good information early in the claim
Preparation of a complete, incontrovertible technical package
Coordination and control of the process
Follow up with involved parties
Complete responses to questions, challenges, etc.
Support and monitoring of legal activities, as required