Summer Fun Can Lead to Incidents
Summer is the busiest time of year for PDRMA members that provide scores of recreational activities, handle daily aquatic facility crowds and host special events. Amid all the fun, however, there’s always the chance serious incidents will occur. If they do, you’ll want to be familiar with PDRMA’s guidelines.
| Storm Loss Quick Tips
The weather outside is frightful…even in summer! If Mother Nature hits your agency hard, and you have a storm-related loss to report, follow these tips to ensure the most efficient claims handling.
- File just one property loss report. Even if multiple locations sustain damage, complete just one property loss report and include “Multiple Locations” as part of your loss description. Attach a Word or Excel file listing the locations and type of damage.
- Report losses promptly. Even if you don’t know the full extent of the damage, report the loss as soon as possible. (This is common in flooding situations, but don’t wait until the water recedes — report the incident immediately!) The faster we receive a loss report, the quicker we can assign an outside adjuster. They’re in high demand after a storm, too.
- Outside adjuster recommendations. The adjuster will help determine the extent of the damage and can recommend what type of vendors you may need.
- Take photos of the damage. Photos are hugely helpful! Identify them clearly and consistently, so we know the location shown (i.e., Winding Creek Golf Course 9th hole green).
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Follow the five steps outlined below when any serious incident occurs, and be sure to review LRN #1507 — Serious Incident: Legal Considerations for PDRMA Members for a complete explanation.
- Contact PDRMA at 630-769-0332, 24/7/365.
- Consult PDRMA legal counsel and/or your corporate counsel before giving any statement, requesting a written statement, preparing a written statement or report, or forwarding text messages, tweets or emails about the incident. Keep in mind that investigative reports and/or statements taken by police or other official investigator(s) are often subject to public disclosure under FOIA and that media, personal injury attorneys and potential claimants may also obtain business text messages, tweets and blog entries.
- Prepare a preliminary Accident/Incident Report using PDRMA’s Accident/Incident Report Form and not your agency’s internal incident/accident form. PDRMA’s standard claims reporting forms contain specific language to establish and protect the confidentiality of the report through attorney-client privilege. Any “internal report” you create that is not specifically and purposely directed to PDRMA’s legal counsel or your agency’s corporate counsel may either be subject to FOIA or prove very damaging in litigation.
- Do not request or prepare any witness and/or employee statement without first consulting PDRMA counsel. For non-employee witnesses (i.e., patron witnesses), simply obtain their personal contact information and a brief verbal account of the incident.
- Use PDRMA in-house counsel or a PDRMA-assigned outside counsel to conduct any internal investigation to protect your agency from additional liability.
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