Expert Analysis Article: Why the Specter of Social Inflation is Haunting Insurers

February 28, 2020

Scott Seaman, Kevin Burke, Judy Selby, and Pedro Hernandez recently authored a Law360 Expert Analysis article titled "The Legal Trends Behind 'Social Inflation' in Insurance."

Social inflation has generated considerable buzz among insurers recently. In a recent Wall Street Journal article, social inflation was described as "an upward creep in perceptions by an injured party of what they are owed, [and] their willingness to pursue that via the legal system."

The authors examine the traditional factors responsible for social inflation in the U.S. civil justice system, as well as more recent social factors fueling the phenomenon. They also assess the impact on insurers and the steps they are taking to combat social inflation.

Download a copy of the article (PDF)

"The Legal Trends Behind 'Social Inflation' in Insurance" was published by Law360, February 21, 2020. Republished with permission.

Seaman, and Simon Laird of RPC, were also recently quoted in an Insurance Post story regarding the prospect of U.S.-style social inflation of insurance claims costs making its presence felt in the United Kingdom.

Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP is a U.S.-based law firm with offices nationwide. The firm's national reputation spans the insurance industry, the financial services sector, professional services, and other highly regulated industries. Hinshaw provides holistic legal solutions—from litigation and dispute resolution, and business advisory and transactional services, to regulatory compliance—for clients of all sizes. Visit www.hinshawlaw.com for more information and follow @Hinshaw on LinkedIn and X.