Insurance Defense

Insurance defense is a cornerstone practice at Smith & Brink. We regularly represent insurance companies and their insureds in matters relating to automobile, commercial, construction, homeowners, and marine liability claims.

Automobile Insurance Litigation

Serving our clients’ needs in the defense of automobile insurance liability claims is a primary practice area at Smith & Brink. For over two decades, we have been trusted advisors and counsel to insurers and their insureds in all aspects of first-party and third-party automobile insurance liability claims. Our attorneys are also regularly retained to collaborate on SIU investigations relating to automobile insurance claims.

Liquor Liability

We represent insurers in connection with liquor liability policies, and also provide representation to bars, restaurants, hotels, and clubs in dramshop cases involving issues of visible intoxication, service of liquor to minors, protection of patrons from the tortious acts of others, inadequate supervision, bartender and bouncer training, negligent hiring, multiple bar claims, self-injured claimants, and claims for negligence in the serving of food products. We also defend taverns in liquor liability cases, and defend insurers in coverage matters relating to liquor liability policies.

Municipal Liability

At Smith & Brink, our attorneys have specialized knowledge of the state, local, and federal statutes and regulations that specifically affect municipalities. We have vast experience in all areas of municipal liability, and have been retained by insurers to represent their insured municipalities.

Products Liability

Our products liability attorneys have defended cases involving allegations of defects in manufacture, defects in design, failure to warn, and breach of warranty of every imaginable variety. Our attorneys have also defended several asbestos-related cases. Our attorneys have a deep understanding of the issues, challenges, and strategies relating to the defense of product liability cases involving interactive digital entertainment equipment, chemical and agricultural products, electrical equipment, firearms, sporting goods, recreational products, home appliances, powered equipment, industrial machinery, watercraft, automobile parts, automobiles, railroad and aviation equipment, food products, and more.

Self-Insured Defense

We also provide legal advice and counsel to self-insureds. Our representation of self-insureds regularly involves liability analysis, settlement negotiations, defense monitoring, cost control, billing audits, loss control, claims prevention services, coverage counseling, and litigation defense.