Unique liability challenges exist for businesses in relation to the manufacture, sale, and distribution of products. This includes warranty issues relating to the performance of the products. For example, the product may be defectively designed or manufactured in a negligent manner, causing serious harm to those using it. Alternatively, there is the potential of contractual liability arising from others involved in the chain of commerce.

Marsh provides a broad range of support to clients and their defense counsel including:

• Historical insurance policy organization and analysis
• Collection, organization and analysis of claim information
• Identification and organization of unallocated expenses
• Loss allocation modeling to support insurance recoveries
• Design of settlement schemes and negotiation with insurers
• Creation or enhancement of insurance billing system

We also provide support to clients with insufficient insurance limits, and/or self-administered clients that are looking to lessen their exposure through risk transfer including:

• Evaluation, recommendation, and implementation of best practices to either put the program in the best light for prospective insurers or reduce cost if risk is retained
• Elimination or reduction of risk through loss portfolio transfers

These services provide a number of benefits including:
 

• Favourable settlements with insurers
• Financial planning and forecasting (including Chapter 11)
• Insurance recovery predictions based on changing assumptions
• Proof of damages for trial purposes
• Viable bill to insurers and prompt recovery
• Cost-effective risk transfer

Marsh has strategies that can minimize the impact of product liability and mass tort exposures, as well as other external liabilities, on the client's bottom line.


A complex array of issues must be managed in a product recall, ranging from accurately determining the scope, nature, and extent of the loss, to the applicability of insurance policies, to managing regulators and the consuming public. Marsh's Global Product Recall Solutions and Prevention Practice works with clients to quantify potential exposures, analyze resources available to respond to such risks, and ensure that the proper solutions are in place to optimize insurance recoveries and limit the financial and reputational impact of a product recall. Marsh’s consultants also assist clients in developing methodologies to help them avoid product recalls.

Assessment

Marsh's consultants assist clients in analyzing their preparedness for a product recall, as well as their vulnerabilities—including bio-terror and container security—that could lead to a product recall. They help clients to evaluate their insurance and risk management, quality assurance, product-loss accounting procedures, regulatory compliance, supply/distribution chain, and the legal and communications resources available. Following such an assessment, the team recommends measures for improving a company's readiness for a product recall.

Implementation

Whether as a follow-up to the preparatory assessment stage, or in the midst of a product recall, Marsh's consultants provide a wide range of consulting services to help companies overcome the challenges they face and move ahead with their regular course of business. During the recall phase this can include:

• Assessing the scope of the recall
• Identifying affected product(s)
• Investigating the cause of the problem
• Reviewing relevant insurance policies
• Assessing compliance with government regulations—for the company and its suppliers
• Timely management of recall and replacement efforts
• Accounting for lost sales and the total cost of the recall
• Establishing a claims-processing mechanism
• Providing dispute analysis and litigation support services, such as expert testimony, in product liability cases
• Developing tailored information-management systems

Recovery

Recovery from a product recall entails not just the immediate action of removing product from the market, but ensuring that its reintroduction meets with the expectations of regulators, shareholders, the media and the consuming public. Marsh's consultants can assist clients in:

• Completing all reports required by regulatory authorities
• Monitoring and assessing the product's reintroduction, making strategy adjustments as needed
• Notifying all concerned parties when the recall has been completed
• Supporting corporate counsel with any claims against the company
• Advising on how to apply the lessons learned from the recall in the future

Marsh has strategies that can help minimize the impact of a product recall, so that companies can protect their brand reputation and bottom line, be responsive to regulators, and preserve their relationships with their customers.