Training - Risk Management and Tort Defense

The Risk Management & Tort Defense Division employs a competent and professional claims and legal staff who evaluate and adjust non-litigated property/casualty claims.

Information collected in the event of an accident is crucial and may determine the outcome of a claim or lawsuits. Our claims and legal staff can tell you what to do, who to contact, what to say and what not to say, and show you how to properly collect information.

State agencies and universities enter into many contracts with outside vendors every year. In the absence of appropriate insurance provisions and indemnification language, liability may be imposed upon a state agency or university for the negligent acts or omissions of its contractors.

This two hour course addresses important contractual insurance and indemnification issues including:

• Contractual risk concerns
• Hold harmless and indemnification provisions
• Types of indemnity
• Developing insurance specifications
• Certificates of insurance
• Additional insured requirements
• Insurance limits
• Sample specifications

Through education and awareness about these various techniques and strategies, the likelihood of contractual liability claims and litigation is reduced.

Montana IS earthquake country. The state also experienced a tornado in Lewistown in August 2000 which caused over $300,000 in damages to state property.

You never know when and how disaster will strike. For this reason, the best defense is a good offense as in having a crisis response plan and appropriate training.

The Risk Management & Tort Defense Division in conjunction with the Department of Military Affairs, Disaster & Emergency Services Division is happy to assist state agencies in setting up appropriate protocol and to provide training.

The convenience of working with information in the digital age has revolutionized the workplace. Despite technological advances, state agencies and universities that collect or hold private, personal information are susceptible to improper access or disclosure of that information.

Understanding the risks, federal and state laws, and incident response can make all the difference between a proper response and one that results in multimillion dollar class action lawsuits, regulatory investigations/fines, and irreversible reputational damage.

The Risk Management & Tort Defense Division contracted with Clyde & Company LLP, International Consulting Firm, to provide on-line training to address cyber/information security issues unique to the State of Montana.

Download presentation slides or view the presentation.

This 4-hour National Safety Council course educates state and university drivers about common risks associated with driving. The course includes learning modules to help state and university drivers avoid the most common causes of crashes and suggestions on how to obtain the safest performance from your vehicle. The course also emphasizes preparation for the driving experience and ways to be more aware and defensive in daily driving.

The class is entertaining and contains valuable information for all participants. Our training consultants use slides, videos, and magnetic boards to convey information. The 48-page course workbook is yours to take home and share with others. We have received many favorable reviews from past participants. There is one 15-minute break half way through the class. Not only will you learn something new, but your agency or university may receive a 10% discount by sending employees to the class.

This 6 hour course National Safety Council course educates state and university drivers about common risks associated with driving, how to react to driving hazards, how to prepare for the driving experience, and how to stay aware and defensive in our daily driving.

The class is entertaining and contains valuable information for all drivers. Our training consultants use slides, videos, magnetic boards, and full-color workbooks. The workbook is yours to keep and share with those you care about. We have received many favorable reviews from past participants. Upon completion of the course, participants receive a registered National Safety Council certificate.

There are breaks throughout the day and an hour for lunch.

This 3 hour course is designed to educate drivers on the differences between operating a 12 or 15- passenger van versus a car or pickup truck.

According to a recent study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 15 passenger vans are much more likely to roll than are other vehicles, and the risk increases significantly with more than 9 passengers.

The course includes differences in operating characteristics of vans versus cars, how to compensate for those differences, and common risks associated with van driving. It also includes an overview of defensive driving tips applicable to all motor vehicles.

The class is entertaining and yet full of valuable information for all participants. We use slides, videos, and magnetic boards; and the National Safety Council workbook used during the course is yours to keep. This course has received many good reviews from past participants. Participants receive a certificate.

Not only will you learn something new, but your agency or university may receive a 10% discount for sending employees to the class.

This short, self-paced course teaches why and how agencies and universities can check their employees' driver records online to comply with this LAD finding. It guides agency and university staff through the entire process, from creating an account through interpreting driver records and using the results. The course consists of two narrated PowerPoint lessons available at any time through RMTD's web site.

There are two lessons. Lesson 1 should be viewed first. Lesson 2 should be viewed only after the agency or university has established its account.

Both lessons allow a learner to access the relevant web pages by simply clicking on embedded hyperlinks. If you have selected a lesson and it does not automatically start, please select "Open" in the dialog box, then click on the View tab and select the "Slide Show" button.

This course is for Montana University System (MUS) campuses only.

This is a 2 hour course full of information on driving a large vehicle with occupants or gear for the university system. The course is designed to educate drivers on operating a wide variety of vehicles for MUS campuses. It expands coverage of defensive driving tips applicable to all motor vehicles while retaining information about the special techniques needed to safely drive the full-size sport utility vehicles and small buses still used by campuses. It also explains Board of Regents’ driving policies and the stricter policies set by some campuses. Finally, it teaches what a driver should do if they are involved in a crash while driving on MUS business.

The class is entertaining and yet full of valuable information for all participants. We use slides and a video in our online presentation. Not only will you learn something new, but your campus may receive a 10% insurance discount for sending people to the class.

Fire is a prime peril to state properties. Fire can cause incalculable losses to property, technology, and life. At the same time most fires can be prevented, or greatly minimized.

This course identifies common sources of fire and offers inspection procedures and mitigation to limit the possibilities of a fire occurring in state buildings. Alarm and evacuation procedures are reviewed with participants. Fire prevention procedures and equipment are reviewed and explained including fire extinguishers. Where practical, procedures specific to a particular location are reviewed.

The available types of fire extinguishers are reviewed including their proper uses. Where permissible actual hands on training extinguishing a live fire is demonstrated and practiced. Local fire officials may assist with this demonstration and other portions of this course.

Contact RMTD to schedule a site-specific course. This course is offered on request.

According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, organizations lose hundreds of billions of dollars to white collar crime annually. While many organizations have basic internal controls to limit the risk of fraud, managers do not always understand or enforce them. The apparent "disconnect" between the presence of internal controls and management's shortcomings in enforcing them must be addressed through training and education.

Towards that end, the Department of Administration, Risk Management & Tort Defense Division hosted a 4-hour seminar on Fraud Prevention Awareness for Managers. The training was provided by Mr. Ralph Q. Summerford, Forensic/Strategic Solutions, PC, a firm of experts who serve clients around the country in financial investigations. Mr. Summerford is a C.P.A. and trains Certified Fraud Examiners. He testifies as an expert witness in federal and state courts on matters involving complicated financial transactions, and also has extensive private and public sector consulting experience.

Download Mr. Summerford's slides or listen to the recording of Mr. Summerford’s presentation.

The Risk Management & Tort Defense (RMTD) Division provides the service of infrared and ultrasonic surveys to state and university owned and insured properties as a means of identifying electrical issues which, if otherwise undetected, could lead to loss.

RMTD makes training and consultations available to our clients to assist in their development of infrared (IR) and/or ultrasonic surveying programs. This training or consultation service can be customized to your specific concerns and can include hands-on practical work to enhance your IR skills and awareness.

While the Montana University System is phasing out its 12 and 15 passenger vans, this 3-hour course is designed to educate drivers on why the phase-out is occurring and how to drive both the vans and the vehicles that are replacing them, many of which are larger than a car or pickup truck.

The course includes a discussion about differences in operating characteristics of vans, small buses, and Sport Utility Vehicles versus cars, how to compensate for those differences, and common risks associated with driving large vehicles. It also includes an overview of defensive driving tips applicable to all motor vehicles.

The course does not cover vehicles which hold over 15 people, as these require a commercial driver license with a passenger endorsement to operate. The class is entertaining and yet full of valuable information for all participants. We use slides, videos, handouts, and a National Safety Council workbook that is yours to keep.

Not only will you learn something new, but your campus or agency may receive a 10% insurance discount for sending people to the class.

Municipal police departments, sheriffs, peace officers, game wardens, highway patrol officers, and other law enforcement professionals from across Montana are increasingly faced with the prospect of large lawsuits that arise from searches and seizures, pursuit driving, and use of force to name a few.

The Montana Association of Counties, Montana Municipal Insurance Authority, and the Risk Management & Tort Defense Division in cooperation with the Highway Patrol, Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Sheriffs & Peacekeeper's Association, and other law enforcement groups have developed a training program with model policies and procedures.

The training has been very well received and is intended to improve law enforcement officers' personal safety as well as reduce potential workers' compensation and liability claims.

The Property/Casualty Insurance Information System (PCIIS) was developed by the Risk Management & Tort Defense Division to assist state agencies and universities in reporting their insurable assets in accordance with §2-9-201, MCA. Through this web-based reporting tools, agencies may enter new assets, update existing assets, or review historical insurance information.

Each year, agency/university risk exposure reporting contacts are responsible to verify the accuracy of the requested asset information with their risk coordinator and appropriate agency management. These updates include changes in ownership, changes in values, and new assets.

To assist agency and universities users with the risk exposure data reporting process, on-line training is offered periodically. Click here to download the slides. Click here for the recording of the presentation.

This is a 2-hour course created by Risk Management & Tort Defense to educate drivers on the risks associated with distracted driving. It is primarily intended for drivers who have completed a general Defensive Driving class, but any state or university system employee may attend.

New research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that 80 percent of all crashes involve distracted driving. That is almost 5 million crashes per year and about 184 billion dollars in damages caused by distracted drivers!

The course discusses distractions such as electronic equipment, passengers, vehicle controls, things outside your car, and eating, reading and grooming. It offers tips on how to reduce those risks.

Your agency or university may receive an auto insurance discount for sending employees to the class.

The Risk Management & Tort Defense Division (RMTD) offers a property insurance premium discount of up to 10% to state agencies and universities that establish and maintain a comprehensive and effective Property Loss Management Program. Participants must complete a Notice of Election to enroll in this voluntary program. See Property Loss Management Premium Discount.

Presentation segments are provided to assist program participants to understand and meet the requirements of this program. A separate segment is available for each program requirement. Each segment is a PDF file featuring slides. You may select an available segment below.

• Segment #1 "Notice of Election"
• Segment #2 "Review Claims Activity"
• Segment #5 "Hot Works"

An important part of risk management is the preservation of the state's vital assets which include real and personal property as well as fine arts, boilers & machinery, vehicles, and valuable papers.

The Risk Management & Tort Defense Division, through its insurance contract with Global Risk, stipulates that property inspections, building & plan reviews, and training be provided to state agencies and universities.

If you're interested in having our carriers come and provide training on property preservation and loss control issues or you have a question about a property inspection, please contact our loss control staff, listed above in the About Us section.

Universities are the beneficiaries of many unique and exciting programs for students and the community that are part of the university experience.

Consequently, student activities, clubs, organizations, and other groups present unique risks and challenges for university administrators.

The Risk Management & Tort Defense Division is pleased to discuss liability issues and has a unique presentation for managers and supervisors that emphasizes risk management techniques.

This new 2-hour course offers solutions for the four major categories of winter driving problems. First, it offers tips on vehicle maintenance, both before and after problems occur. Second, it discusses how to overcome winter driving problems due to visibility and traction. Third, it explains how to avoid becoming stranded and how to survive if you do. Finally, it offers suggestions on how to avoid slips and falls while entering or exiting your vehicle. Not only will you learn how to stay out of trouble while driving in cold weather, but you will help your agency or university earn a 10 percent discount off of its motor vehicle insurance.

This course continually changes to address the ever-changing issues of violence and hostilities that state agencies/universities and employees face. Expanding on courses first offered in FY2000, this new course (first offered FY2007) addresses real issues course participants face and provides proven strategies to defuse a hostile situation in the earliest and safest stages. Participants of this course are better able to cope when violence and hostile attitudes rear their ugly heads.

This unique 6-hour course uses safe, controlled role-paying scenarios of potential hostile situations where participant can actually "feel" the stress of a situations. Participants quickly recognize causes of these feelings and learn valuable but simple and safe strategies to defuse the situations and de-escalate any tension while continuing to professionally offer the services and respect expected of a state agency or university.

This course provides considerations for the physical layout of work areas and proven processes that can naturally reduce the potential of hostilities. The course advances to provide procedures for individuals, coworkers, and entire workplaces to respond to a hostile situation. The safety of all individuals involved in a hostile situation is continually emphasized stressing that employees and agencies/universities exist to respectfully provide our clients a service.

By understanding what creates a hostile situation and recognizing how we can reduce these occurrences, employees can respond to these situations with confidence and professionalism.

The Risk Management & Tort Defense Division provides or can develop and provide a variety of other training programs upon request from state agencies and universities.