Phil Wasta

Dedicated Attorney with a passion for litigation. Offers 2 ½ years of experience as an attorney and over a decade of experience in the insurance/litigation management industry. Committed to continuous improvement and impacting team success.

Nolan, Olson and Stryker, Omaha, NE June 2024- November 2024
Associate Insurance Defense Attorney
Meet with clients for initial representation meetings, discovery verification meetings and deposition preparation meetings to ensure rapport and ease in communication
Draft effective pleadings, discovery, and internal memos to ensure client's interests were represented
Communicate with clients and insurance companies to keep them apprised of current status and projected resolution of cases
Investigate, then direct investigation and review investigation in order to achieve desired resolution of cases
Negotiate with opposing counsel or adverse parties to resolve litigation
Review thousands of pages of claim documents and summarize them for use in discovery, communication with insurance companies or for deposition notes

Kidd Laflin Kilburg Johnson PC LLO, Omaha, NE December 2023 - April 2024
Associate Insurance Defense Attorney
Review thousands of pages of medical documents and summarize them for use in discovery, communication with insurance companies or for deposition notes
Review and prepare discovery in compliance with state regulations for workman’s comp
Draft motions, pleadings, and communication with opposing counsel and medical professionals
Investigate, direct investigation and review investigation in order to best direct resolution of cases
Make suggestions for settlement authority in order to resolve cases
Communicate with clients and insurance companies to keep them apprised of current status and projected resolution of cases

Engles Ketcham Olson & Keith, Omaha, NE April 2022-December 2023
Associate Insurance Defense Attorney
Review thousands of pages of medical documents and summarize them for use in discovery, communication with insurance companies or for deposition notes
Review and prepare discovery in compliance with state regulations for workman’s comp
Draft motions, pleadings, and communication with opposing counsel and medical professionals
Investigate, direct investigation and review investigation in order to best direct resolution of cases
Make suggestions for settlement authority in order to resolve cases
Communicate with clients and insurance companies to keep them apprised of current status and projected resolution of cases
Exceeded monthly billing expectations and bonus goals during every quarter of employment

Applied Underwriters, Omaha, NE October 2020-April 2022
Workman’s Comp Claims Adjuster II
Investigate, evaluate and settle or manage the defense of claims, including selection and oversight of independent adjusters and counsel and control of loss adjustment expenses, within established authority.
Identify, evaluate and determine, in consultation with Company counsel as necessary, respective rights and obligations of Company, Insured and third parties under all applicable insurance policies.
Monitor and review medical treatment of severe injuries to ensure the most accurate and helpful treatment for claimants.
Maintain current knowledge of insurance and claim management principles and practices through review of published opinions, trade periodicals and other professional literature and presentations.
Continuously monitor, maintain and periodically review appropriate Claim Files and journals and all required electronic and other records, and provide information regarding claims as required.
Maintain filings with multiple high-volume states (New York and Illinois particularly)
Work on an average of 80 claims at a time with an average value of $100,000

IAT Insurance Group, Omaha, NE July 2017-October 2020
Claims Analyst
Investigate, evaluate and settle or manage the defense of claims, including selection and oversight of independent adjusters and counsel and control of loss adjustment expenses, within established authority.
Identify, evaluate and determine, in consultation with Company counsel as necessary, respective rights and obligations of Company, Insured and third parties under all applicable insurance policies.
Establish and modify loss and expense reserves as information regarding claim developments.
Maintain current knowledge of insurance and claim management principles and practices through review of published opinions, trade periodicals and other professional literature and presentations.
Continuously monitor, maintain and periodically review appropriate Claim Files and journals and all required electronic and other records, and provide information regarding claims as required.
Participate in-person mediations for insureds’ benefit throughout the country
Work on an average of 120 claims at a time with an average value of $70,000

National Indemnity Company, Omaha, NE July 2014 –July 2017
Claims Specialist II
Investigate, evaluate and settle or manage the defense of claims, including selection and oversight of independent adjusters and counsel and control of loss adjustment expenses, within established authority.
Identify, evaluate and determine, in consultation with Company counsel as necessary, respective rights and obligations of Company, Insured and third parties under all applicable insurance policies.
Establish and modify loss and expense reserves as information regarding claim developments.
Maintain current knowledge of insurance and claim management principles and practices through review of published opinions, trade periodicals and other professional literature and presentations.
Participate in weekly meetings to discuss coverage and company obligations as it pertains to my files and co-workers’ files.
Continuously monitor, maintain and periodically review appropriate Claim Files and journals and all required electronic and other records, and provide information regarding claims as required.
 

Education:
Juris Doctorate, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD
BA, (Liberal Arts) University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA