Dan Singel represented C.H.I. Companies in a complicated claim against one of the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of commercial and industrial heaters. The claim concerned property damage caused by heaters used at a large construction project in Iowa. Unfortunately, C.H.I.’s insurer had denied coverage, so C.H.I. was forced to go after the heater manufacturer itself.

This case exemplified the principle that wise legal advice involves not just knowledge of the law, but also an understanding of how to most cost-effectively achieve a client’s goal. After investigating C.H.I’s claim, it was apparent that the cost of litigating the claim would be exorbitant, given the highly complex technical issues involved. In order to maximize C.H.I.’s net recovery, taking into account the cost of litigation, Dan counseled a realistic approach.

By focusing the claim solely against the heater manufacturer without involving C.H.I.’s liability insurer or other potentially implicated entities, Dan was able to quickly get the parties to the negotiating table without litigation. And by using the expert testing already performed during the liability carrier’s investigation of the claim, C.H.I was able to avoid unnecessary expert costs.

Within just a few months of presenting C.H.I.’s claim to the manufacturer, the parties were able to negotiate an amicable settlement. C.H.I. maximized its net recovery and was able to maintain its business relationship with the heater manufacturer.