New Illinois Med-Mal Carrier to Focus on Aggressive Defense Tactics

The Professional Liability Insurance Company of America (PLICA), announced that it now offers physicians in the Illinois malpractice market a professional liability insurance product that has been developed and designed to insulate physicians from exposure to frivolous claims by providing an aggressive defense against such claims while disposing early on of claims that show merit.

PLICA is an admitted insurer in Illinois and is marketing its product through independent agents.

“PLICA understands the current availability and affordability medical malpractice crisis confronting Illinois physicians and desires to work in partnership with our insureds to afford quality products and services at competitive pricing” said Howard B. Nathans, PLICA president and CEO. Nathans, formerly president of Legal Insurance Services, has more than 32 years experience in all areas of insurance regulatory operations.

Brent Cassity, a member of the ownership group (RBT Trust 2) which purchased PLICA from New York-based MLMIC Group, said his family has been involved in the insurance business for over 25 years. “There is now a unique opportunity to provide affordable coverage to doctors with a fresh approach to holding down overhead and legal defense expenses,” Cassity explained. “PLICA has a superior legal team in place to provide quality defense and monitor legal expenses”

In addition to Nathans, the team offers Howard A. Wittner, general counsel, secretary and senior vice president of claims, a practicing trial attorney since 1960 with extensive experience in representing physicians and surgeons in medical malpractice; John J. Kendrick, Jr., a litigation management specialist with 36 years in legal practice; and Michael G. Rutz, vice president of underwriting operations with 27 years of experience in all areas of underwriting operations, initiatives and systems.

PLICA said its capital and surplus exceeds regulatory capital and surplus requirements in Illinois, and because PLICA is an admitted carrier, the company must comply with all Illinois laws and regulations. Agents interested in marketing for PLICA should call Brent Cassity at (866) 360-1112.