JAMES J. MATHIS
205 Scotch Pine Road |
Reno, Nevada 89511 |
(775) 849-8400 |
I have extensive professional experience in the Insurance Industry, as an expert consultant on insurance claim handling issues, and as a speaker for Trial Lawyers’ Associations and Medical Associations. As owner of Sequoia Visions, Inc., I have designed and created innovative software for the Legal and Medical Communities to address the ongoing changes and demands of the Insurance Industry. I have lectured at numerous workshops and seminars in the following areas: Claim Evaluation and Negotiation, Medical Claim Documentation and Presentation, General Claim Processing and Handling.
I have specific knowledge of Insurance Industry processes, procedures, manuals, memos, literature, claim handling practices, advertisements, electronic systems, computer maintained data, computer retrieval reporting, personnel guides, training guides and literature, trial defenses and discovery preparation.
I have assisted in the discovery process for law firms dealing with issues of bad faith, extra-contractual and consumer violation lawsuits. This is due to my extensive experience in varied positions in the insurance industry as well as management positions while employed with State Farm and ongoing review of insurance procedures, processes, literature and claim files in my capacity as a consultant.
ACHIEVEMENTS WHILE EMPLOYED IN THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY
CREATED, DEVELOPED AND IMPLEMENTED a program concept designed to solve two major problems, service to customers and the relative costs. Presented findings and the complete plans for a centralized department designed to improve service, decrease cost per claim, cost of handling and reserves cost. The result was a charter to implement the plan.
EXCEPTIONALLY SUCCESSFUL as an insurance company representative speaking to internal departments, individual members and groups in the medical and legal communities. In this position I was designated company expert and administrator in suits against the company including class action litigation involving first party benefits within the state of Washington.
HIRED, TRAINED and MANAGED a new department of 5 supervisors, 5 attorney negotiators, 22 medical claim examiners and 12 support personnel. As a result, this new cohesive and efficient department was able to successfully process approximately 15,000 claims annually and over 1,500 pieces of mail daily. Previous positions as superintendent in casualty and property also required I hire and train personnel in those areas, including third party claims, UIM and UM claims, first party property claims, estimators and field inspectors.
CONCEPTUALIZED, ORGANIZED and AUTHORED an operational guide for an innovative department consisting of new and creative processes, procedures and formats. This expanded my responsibility to provide continual internal auditing and external troubleshooting combined with published instructional articles and motivational seminars.
EXPERIENCE
Mathis Insurance Consulting, Inc. |
Owner and President |
Sequoia Visions, Inc. |
Owner and President |
National Claims Services, Inc. |
Owner and President |
Allstate Insurance |
Senior Staff Adjuster Litigation and Attorney Negotiator |
State Farm Insurance |
Superintendent, Consolidated Claims
Superintendent, Metro Property, Casualty and Litigation
Resident Superintendent, Casualty and Property
Claim Representative, Life, Casualty and Property |
University of Oregon |
Research Assistant |
Mathis Farms |
Owner/Operator |
EDUCATION
Bachelor Degree |
University of Oregon, Eugene, OR |
Associate of Arts |
Lane Community College, Eugene, OR |
AIC |
Insurance Institute of America |
Two Parts CPCU |
Insurance Institute of America |
ICAR certified (all parts) |
ICAR |
State Farm |
Negotiation Skills for the Claims Professional (Certified) |
State Farm Insurance Company |
Superintendent School |
State Farm Insurance Company |
Casualty Supervision |
State Farm Insurance Company |
Property Supervision |
State Farm Insurance Company |
Management (Parts I, II, III) |
State Farm Insurance Company |
Claims School |
State Farm Insurance Company |
BCC (Parts I, II, III, IV) |
State Farm Insurance Company |
Bodily Injury School |
State Farm Insurance Company |
Negotiation Skills for the Claims Professional Facilitator |
State Farm Insurance Company |
Personnel Management School |
State Farm Insurance Company |
Allstate |
CCPR Workshops and Training |
Allstate Insurance Company |
MBRS Workshops and Training |
Allstate Insurance Company |
Casualty Skills Workshop |
Allstate Insurance Company |
P-CCSO Workshops and Training |
Allstate Insurance Company |
MIST Workshops and Training |
Allstate Insurance Company |
Colossus and Evaluation Training |
Allstate Insurance Company |
Claim Portfolio Workshops and Training |
Allstate Insurance Company |
Liability Investigation Matrix Workshop |
Allstate Insurance Company |
Damage Investigation Matrix Workshop |
Allstate Insurance Company |
MIST Investigation Matrix Workshop |
Allstate Insurance Company |
CDS Best Practices Training |
Allstate Insurance Company |
Claim Performance Measurement System |
Allstate Insurance Company |
Allstate Profit Sharing Enhancement |
Allstate Insurance Company |
TESTIMONY AND PRESENTATIONS
I have been retained as an expert and consultant throughout the country to review the uniform claim handling practices and procedures of the Insurance Industry. I am paid $300.00 per hour as a consultant and $100.00 per hour for travel time not including costs. I am paid $300.00 per hour for deposition and testimony with an additional one-time charge of $500.00 if the deposition is video-taped. This has resulted in my review of more than 7,500 insurance claim files. I have testified in the following lawsuits during the last four years,
- Bien Aime vs. State Farm, Florida; Circuit Court of the 17th Judicial Circuit, Broward County, Florida; Case No. 95-008749-25;
- Boll vs. State Farm in the state of Idaho; The District Court of the Fifth Judicial District, State of Idaho, County of Twin Falls; Case No. CV-97-4624;
- Holderness vs. State Farm in the state of Alaska; Superior Court, Alaska, Third Judicial District, Anchorage; Case No.3AN-94-9277 CI;
- Mesa vs. State Farm, Wyoming; The District Court Eighth Judicial District; Case No. 13559;
- Morgan vs. State Farm, Louisiana; Twenty-Second Judicial District Court, Parish of St. Tammany, State of Louisiana; Case No. 99-10917;
- Robinson vs. State Farm, Idaho; The District Court of the Fourth Judicial District of the State of Idaho, in and for the County of Ada; Case No. CV OC 94-98099D;
- Schroeder vs. State Farm, Arizona; The Superior Court of the State of Arizona, in and for the County of Maricopa; No. CV2002-010179;
- Vittorio vs. Grange Insurance Companies; The Court of Common Pleas, Franklin County, Ohio; Case No. 03CVC-04-3849;
- Waddell vs. Allstate, Montana; United States Federal Court, Montana; Case No. CV-99-65-BU-CCI;
I have been deposed in class action lawsuits in the state of Washington, Crannell vs. State Farm, Van Noy vs. State Farm and Sitton vs. State Farm, in Nebraska, Lynch vs. State Farm and in Arizona, Skene vs. State Farm. I have also offered an expert opinion and/or been deposed in the following individual lawsuits:
- Adams vs. State Farm, State of Michigan in the Circuit Court for the County of Kent Civil Division, Case No. 02-08360-NF;
- Bane vs. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company; Alabama; In the Circuit Court of Madison County, Alabama; Civil Action No. CV05-2334 JPS;
- Bien Aime vs. State Farm, Florida; Circuit Court of the 17th Judicial Circuit, Broward County, Florida; Case No. 95-008749-25;
- Blair vs. Allstate, California; Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco; Case No. 313720;
- Boe vs. Allstate, Washington; Superior Court of Washington for King County, Case No. 01-2-19280-9SEA;
- Boll vs. State Farm, Idaho; The District Court of the Fifth Judicial District, State of Idaho, County of Twin Falls; Case No. CV-97-4624;
- Brewer vs. State Farm in the state of Indiana; Superior Court of Indiana, County of Bartholomew, Case No. 03C01-9912-CT-1795;
- Burton vs. Mountain West Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. in the state of Montana; The United States District Court for the District of Montana Missoula Division, Cause No. CV 00-95-M-DWM;
- Carlson vs. State Farm in the state of Montana; The Montana Eighth Judicial Court, Cascade County, Case No. BDV-00-140;
- Crump vs. State Farm, Michigan; Circuit Court, State of Michigan, County of Genesee; Case No. 02-72839-NF;
- Feldotto vs. State Farm, Colorado; District Court, Douglas County, State of Colorado; Case No. 01 CV 480;
- Foltz vs. State Farm, Oregon; United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; Case No. CV-94-06293-MRH;
- Fortune vs. State Farm Mutual Automobile Ins. Co.; Montana; Montana Eleventh Judicial District Court, Flathead County; Cause No. DV-93-B;
- Georgeff vs. Allstate Insurance Company, California; Superior Court of the State of California, In and for the County of Ventura; Case No. SC044950;
- Goldstein vs. National Farmers Union, Montana; Montana Twelfth Judicial District Court, Hill County; Case No. DV-98-044;
- Graham vs. State Farm, Montana; The Montana Eleventh Judicial District Court, Flathead County, Case No. DV-01-580B;
- Hanley vs. Safeco, Montana; The United States District Court for the District of Montana Missoula Division; Case No. CV-01-217-M-DWM;
- Jon Hall, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated vs. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, Michigan: State of Michigan in the Circuit Court for the County of Macomb, Case No. 04-5356-CK;
- Harry vs. State Farm, Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Orange, Central Justice Center; Case No. 00CC05795;
- Henke vs. State Farm, Washington; The Superior Court State of Washington for King County; Case No. 99-2-11808-7;
- Henry vs. Myers and State Farm, Indiana, County of Bartholomew, Bartholomew Circuit Court, Cause No: 03C01 0003 CT 556;
- Hill vs. State Farm, Oklahoma; The United States District Court for The Western District of Oklahoma; Case No. CIV-00-1877-T;
- Holderness vs. State Farm in the state of Alaska; Superior Court, Alaska, 3rd Judicial District at Anchorage; Case No.3AN-94-9277 CI;
- Jimkoski vs. State Farm, Michigan; The U.S. District Court for The Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division; Case No. 02 CV 71701;
- Laurrance vs. Allstate, California; The United States District Court, Eastern District of California; Case No. CIV.S-00-1300 EJG GGH;
- Lehman vs. State Farm, Washington; The Superior Court State of Washington for King County; Case No. 00-2-26450-0 SEA;
- Lynch vs. State Farm, Nebraska; The District Court of Douglas County, Nebraska; Case No. DOC. 980 NO. 654;
- Martinez vs. Davis, New Mexico; The State of New Mexico, County of Bernalillo Second Judicial District Court; Case No. CV 99-07598;
- Mathis vs. State Farm, Washington, King County; US. District Court, Western District of Washington at Seattle; Case No. C97-1552 Z;
- McGee vs. State Farm, Indiana; The Vanderburgh Superior Court, County of Vanderburgh; Case No. 82D03-0112-CT-4277;
- McAllister vs. State Farm, Washington; Superior Court of Washington for Grays Harbor County; Case No. 92-2-01187-6;
- McLeod vs. State Farm Lloyds, Texas, The District Court of Travis County, Texas, 98th Judicial District, Cause No. GN204025;
- Mesa vs. State Farm, Wyoming; The District Court Eighth Judicial District; Case No. 13559;
- Morgan vs. State Farm, Louisiana; Twenty-Second Judicial District Court, Parish of St. Tammany, State of Louisiana; Case No. 99-10917;
- Mulready vs. Allstate, Florida; The Circuit Court of the 12th Judicial Circuit in and for Sarasota County, Florida; Case No. 99-2496CA;
- Murphy vs. Swain and State Farm, Indiana; The Bartholomew Circuit Court, State of Indiana; Cause No. 03C01-0108-CT-1223;
- Nicholson vs. State Farm, West Virginia; The Circuit Court of Monongalia County, West Virginia Division 1; Case No. 99-C-156;
- O’Reilly vs. State Farm, Washington; Superior Court of Washington for County of King; Case No. 00-2-11548-2KNT;
- Omazic vs. American Standard Insurance Company of Wisconsin, Missouri; In the Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri; Case No. 04CV212778;
- Passy-Fontes vs. State Farm, California; Superior Court of the State of California, County of San Bernardino Central District; Case No. SCVSS74793;
- Plateros vs. State Farm, Nevada; The Second Judicial District Court of the State of Nevada, The County of Washoe; Case No. CV98-07605;
- Rel vs. State Farm, New Mexico, The United States District Court for The District of New Mexico; Case No. CIV-04-0033 ACT/RLP;
- Reyher vs. State Farm, Colorado; District Court, County of Otero, State of Colorado; Case No. 03 CV 18;
- Rich vs. State Farm Mutual Automobile Ins. Co., Montana; In The United States District Court for the District of Montana, Missoula Division; Cause No. CV-01-01-M-LBE;
- Robinson vs. State Farm, Idaho; The District Court of the Fourth Judicial District of the State of Idaho, in and for the County of Ada; Case No. CV OC 94-98099D;
- Safeco vs. Allstate, Washington; Superior Court of Washington for King County; Case No. 01-2-07895-0 SEA;
- Schroeder vs. State Farm, Arizona; The Superior Court of the State of Arizona, in and for the County of Maricopa; No. CV2002-010179;
- Simonsen vs. Allstate, Montana; The United States District Court for the District of Montana, Butte Division; CV-01-64-BU-DWM;
- Simpson vs. State Farm Mutual Automobile Ins. Co., Montana; In The United States District Court for the District of Montana, Missoula Division; Cause No. CV-93-18-M-CCL;
- Sitton vs. State Farm, Washington; Superior Court of Washington for King County; Case No. 00-2-10013;
- State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and State Farm Fire and Casualty Company vs. Robert J. Brown, Spectrum DX services, Inc. and Gary M. Weiss; Florida; United States District Court Middle District of Florida Orlando Division; No. 03 CV 3936;
- Taylor vs. Allstate, South Carolina; The United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Florence Division; Case No. 4:01-997-22;
- Van Emon vs. State Farm Mutual Automobile Company, Michigan, Unites States District Court For the Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division; Case No.: 05-CV-72638;
- Van Noy vs. State Farm, Washington; The Superior Court of the State of Washington, The County of King; Case No. 94-2-17363-4;
- Vittorio vs. Grange Insurance Companies; The Court of Common Pleas, Franklin County, Ohio; Case No. 03CVC-04-3849;
- Waddell vs. Allstate, Montana; United States Federal Court, Montana; Case No. CV-99-65-BU-CCI;
- Wilson vs. State Farm, Indiana; The Vermillion Circuit Court Sitting in Newport, Indiana; Case No. 83C01-0003-CT-17;
Prior to those lawsuits, I was designated as a company representative by State Farm in the class action, Cranell v. State Farm, Washington and testified on behalf of State Farm in single lawsuits brought against them by their insureds. I am sought as a speaker, nationally and internationally, at workshops, seminars and educational forums. At these functions, I have lectured and provided written material which the attendees received either CLE or CME credits. The following is a listing of these functions and publications:
- Association of Trial Attorneys of America,
- Arizona Trial Lawyers Association,
- Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association,
- Brain Injury Association of Michigan,
- California Bar Association,
- California Chiropractic Association,
- ChiroCode Institute,
- Colorado Trial Lawyers Association,
- Colorado Chiropractic Association,
- Delaware Trial Lawyers Association,
- Indiana Trial Lawyers Association,
- Iowa Trial Lawyers Association,
- Kansas Association of Trial Attorneys,
- Kansas Chiropractic Association,
- Kentucky Academy of Trial Lawyers,
- Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association,
- Massachusetts Association of Trial Attorneys,
- Michigan Trial Lawyers Association,
- Mississippi Trial Lawyers Association,
- Missouri Trial Lawyers Association,
- Nevada Trial Lawyers Association,
- New Jersey Trial Lawyers Association,
- New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association,
- North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers,
- Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers,
- Ontario Trial Lawyers Association, Canada,
- Oregon Chiropractic Association,
- Oregon Trial Lawyers Association,
- Rhode Island Association of Trail Attorneys,
- San Diego Consumer Advocate Association,
- Santa Clara County Trial Lawyers Association,
- Spokane WA Chiropractic Association,
- Southern California Advocate Association,
- Southern California Physician Network,
- Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association,
- Utah Association of Chiropractic Physicians,
- VIP, The Settlement Institute,
- Washington State Chiropractic Association,
- Washington Association of Independent Medical Examiners,
- Washington Trial Lawyers Association,
- West Virginia Trial Lawyers Association,
I have been interviewed and quoted or video-taped for production of articles on the Insurance Industry in the following media venues:
- “The Washington Post”,
- “NBC Dateline” Special, “Paperchase I”,
- “NBC Dateline” Special, “Paperchase II”,
- “The Wall Street Journal”,
- “Business Week”,
- “Newsweek”,
- “The Pinet Directory”
- “US News and World Report”,
- “CNN” News
- “CNN” Special, “Auto insurers fight hard against soft-tissue claims”
- “ATLA Audio Presentation”,
- “Massachusetts Trial News”,
- “The Lexington Herald Leader”,
- “The Advocate”, Journal of Consumer Attorneys Association for Southern Calif.,
- “The Los Angeles Weekly”,
- “Seattle Post Intelligencer”,
- “The Oregonian”,
- “NBC News Affiliate”, Portland, Oregon”,
- “King 5 News”, Seattle, Washington,
- “The Los Angeles Times”,
- “American Chiropractic Magazine”,
- “Kansas City Star”