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