Business News: COVID-19 Claim Protocols, HomeCare Connect and Roost

Institute Developing Discovery Protocols

A nonprofit group that works to improve the efficiency of the legal system has launched a new project to create discovery protocols for COVID-19 insurance claims.

The Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System (IAALS) said an unprecedented number of time-consuming and costly cases are flooding U.S. courts because of the pandemic. Many involve business interruption property damage claims stemming from COVID-19 closure orders.

The Institute said it will create pattern protocols that will require both businesses and insurance companies to automatically disclose certain information and documents early in the case.

“This will make the discovery process—normally one of the most expensive, contentious, and lengthy parts of litigation—far more efficient and targeted,” IAALS said in a press release.

The protocols will provide judges with a new pretrial procedure to follow, which will make it easier and faster for the parties and their counsel to exchange information and documents, frame issues, and value claims for possible early resolution.

The Institute said it has worked with the courts to improve the discovery process and hasten the resolution of other types of court cases in the past, including for employment cases, fair labor standards act cases, and disaster cases.

Broadspire Teams With HomeCare Connect

Broadspire, a Crawford & Company subsidiary that provides third-party administration services for workers’ compensation and liability claims, has contracted with HomeCare Connect for post-acute care services.

Many injured workers cannot return directly to their homes after a hospital stay, HomeCare said in a press release. Some transfer to post-acute care facilities for additional treatment until they are able to return home.

HomeCare Connect, based in Winter Park, Florida, provides post-acute care services to help prevent gaps in clinical coordination during the transition.

The program can tap a network of 15,000 post-acute care facilities. Broadspire’s adjusters and nurse case managers work with HomeCare’s coordinators to select a facility specializing in the injured workers’ condition, such as spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries, physical rehabilitation, or wound care, the company said.

The team coordinates the hospital discharge and provides a detailed treatment plan to the post-acute care center, HomeCare said. They also monitor the type, quantity and quality of services delivered.

American National Offering Roost Smart Home Sensors

Roost, a Silicon Valley provider of smart home telematics products, has formed a partnership with American National Insurance Co. to offer select policyholders free sensors.

American National policyholders with specific risk characteristics will be offered the award-winning Roost Smart Water Leak and Freeze Detector. The package will include an American National-branded mobile app with severe weather alerts from IBM/The Weather Company.

American National is adding the telematics products to its offering as a means of increasing customer engagement, Roost said in a press release.

The Roost sensors detect water leaks as well as humidity and freezing temperatures. Each detector can be placed around the home in locations most prone to water leaks, such as under kitchen sinks, hot water heaters, toilets and various appliances. It then delivers smartphone alerts via the Roost app to help minimize water damage and loss.

Roost, based in Sunnyvale, Calif., provides smoke alarms, a water leak and freeze detector and a smart garage door sensor.