Director of Claims - FELA & Casualty Litigation

Job Description

Job Description

Location: Evansville, Indiana in Office

Company:  Professional Transportation, Inc. (PTI)

Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

About the Role:

Professional Transportation, Inc. (PTI) is seeking an experienced Director of Claims – FELA & Casualty Litigation to lead and continuously improve our Claims Management Program.

This senior-level role is responsible for the strategic and day-to-day management of FELA claims, litigated casualty claims, non-FELA claims, workers’ compensation matters, litigation, settlements, and claim-related risk.

The Director of Claims – FELA & Casualty Litigation will work closely with PTI leadership, the Risk and Safety teams, railroad customers, insurance carriers, third-party administrators (TPAs), outside counsel, and other internal and external partners to reduce risk, control claim costs, and protect the interests of PTI, its employees, customers, and the public.

This position also provides leadership and development for approximately two direct reports.

Key Responsibilities:

FELA & Litigated Casualty Claims

• Manage the day-to-day activities associated with FELA and other litigated casualty claims.
• Review new FELA lawsuits and evaluate venue, potential exposure, response requirements, defenses, and overall litigation strategy.
• Identify, retain, and manage qualified FELA defense counsel, including negotiating appropriate legal rates.
• Work closely with outside counsel, railroad customer claims personnel, insurance carriers, TPAs, and internal stakeholders throughout the life of a claim.
• Participate in case strategy conferences and help develop effective defense strategies for PTI and its indemnitees.
• Review discovery requests, medical reports, claim documentation, and proposed responses.
• Coordinate with counsel and appropriate PTI personnel in preparing discovery responses and objections.
• Evaluate the need for surveillance and engage qualified investigative providers when appropriate.
• Evaluate claim exposure and coordinate requests for settlement authority with PTI’s Risk Team and executive leadership.
• Supervise counsel during settlement negotiations and ensure settlement authority is properly documented.
• Attend mediations, trials, and other legal proceedings as necessary.
• Coordinate with railroad customers to verify lien amounts and appropriate settlement withholdings.
• Coordinate decisions involving black box/vehicle data preservation and arrange qualified vendors for data downloads or critical safety inspections when necessary.
• Evaluate potential appeals following adverse verdicts in consultation with counsel, insurance carriers, and TPAs.
• Review outside counsel invoices and approve, question, or reject charges when appropriate.

Non-FELA Claims

• Manage litigated non-FELA casualty claims and related litigation.
• Evaluate state-specific negligence laws, jurisdictional issues, liability considerations, and other factors affecting claim strategy.
• Work with defense counsel and insurance partners to develop appropriate litigation and resolution strategies.
• Evaluate claims for potential settlement, trial, or other resolution.

Workers’ Compensation

• Oversee the reporting, investigation, administration, and resolution of workers’ compensation claims.
• Coordinate claims with TPAs and insurance carriers.
• Manage workers’ compensation litigation with approved legal counsel and carrier/TPA representatives.
• Review workers’ compensation reserves quarterly and support appropriate reserve adjustments.
• Oversee subrogation and recovery efforts, including document preparation, negotiations with third-party insurance carriers, and referrals for legal collection or arbitration when appropriate.

Risk, Legal & Regulatory Oversight

• Monitor relevant case law, statutes, regulations, and legal developments that could affect PTI’s claims, operations, or risk exposure.
• Consult with legal counsel regarding new laws and court decisions that may affect existing claims or litigation strategy.
• Communicate significant legal and regulatory developments to leadership.
• Partner with PTI’s Safety Department when legal or regulatory changes could affect safety procedures or operating protocols.
• Identify opportunities to improve claim processes, reduce exposure, control costs, and strengthen overall risk management.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, and develop Claims team members.
• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings and establish clear accountability and performance expectations.
• Complete timely performance reviews and establish annual business and development goals.
• Ensure team members receive appropriate ongoing training.
• Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, collaboration, and exceptional internal and external customer service.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in claims management, claims adjusting, risk management, casualty claims, workers’ compensation, safety, or a closely related field.
• Experience managing complex claims and working with attorneys, insurance carriers, and/or third-party administrators.
• Strong understanding of claims investigation, litigation management, settlement strategy, and risk mitigation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple high-priority matters simultaneously.
• Strong judgment and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and with external partners.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Ability to obtain and maintain any state-required claims adjuster license.
• Ability to travel as business needs require.

Preferred:

• Railroad industry experience.
• Experience managing FELA claims or FELA litigation.
• Experience with complex litigated casualty claims.
• Experience managing outside defense counsel.
• Workers’ compensation claims management experience.
• Experience with settlement negotiations, mediation, litigation strategy, and claim reserve review.
• Previous supervisory or claims-team leadership experience.

What Success Looks Like:

The successful Director of Claims will combine strong claims expertise with sound business judgment and leadership. You will be comfortable working directly with attorneys, insurers, railroad customers, senior executives, and operational leaders while managing complex and potentially high-exposure claims.

You will bring a proactive approach to litigation management, recognize potential risk early, control claim-related costs, and continuously look for ways to strengthen PTI’s claims and risk-management processes.

Additional Information:

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and does not necessarily include every responsibility, duty, qualification, or requirement associated with the position.

Professional Transportation, Inc. is committed to quality, continuous improvement, and providing world-class service to our internal and external customers.

EEOC Statement: We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.