Industry experts explored new strategies to streamline the life cycle of freight loss and damage claims during the Loss Prevention Conference’s 2006 Annual Meeting. The meeting took place Oct. 15-18 at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel in Atlanta.

In addition to networking and interacting with the industry’s leading providers of products and services, participants attended sessions on the prevention of freight loss and damage, inspections, packaging, case law and collaboration between all parties involved in the shipment of freight.

Addressing the group, Kristi Hebert, LPC president and claims manager, Saia, stressed that “education regarding the importance and benefits of developing partnerships between shippers, carriers, 3PLs and law enforcement is essential to enhance loss prevention plans and condense the life cycle of damage claims.”

Shippers and carriers discussed difficult claims situations in a small group setting. The interactive exchange broadened participants’ understanding of alternate perspectives and helped identify workable claims solutions. The discussion also provided attendees with new ideas for implementing an effective prevention program.

Hyman Hillenbrand, managing partner with DeOrchis, Hillenbrand, Wiener & O’Brien, LLP, took shipper/carrier collaboration a step further by adding the attorney’s point of view during his session. He explained how transportation agreements can be used by both parties to efficiently resolve cargo claim issues. Hillenbrand was joined by shipper and carrier representatives who provided anecdotes showing how collaboration helped resolve their claims issues.

During the Claims Liability Workshop, attorney Larry Roberts of the Law Offices of Lawrence J. Roberts & Associates helped attendees understand the application of court cases. Attendees served as jury members as they listened to a plaintiff and defendant present a recent pivotal case, asked the judge pertinent questions and voted on the outcome.

Another session described how the electronics giant Sony teamed with its carrier to streamline the cargo claims process for both parties by developing an electronic data interchange (EDI) program. Much of the paper processes and waste have been eliminated by filing claims and processing settlements online; claim resolutions are now being reached in less than 30 days.

“After 17 years in claims handling, this was the best conference I’ve attended because carriers and shippers were eager to work together,” said Brenda Baker, senior cargo claims analyst, Landstar. “It was a great experience.”

John Mazza, director of cargo claims and central OS&D operations for UPS Freight, agreed. “If you are involved directly or indirectly with cargo claims processing or prevention, the LPC educational forum is a must in this evolving and increasingly complex profession,” he said.

LPC members elected the 2006-2008 LPC officers during the conference. A.J. Mitchell was named president of the organization. He is southeast regional manager for MTI Inspection Services. Kevin Branch, an attorney with Dennis, Corry, Porter & Smith, LLP, was elected first vice president.

Robert LeBlanc was elected second vice president after serving as program chair. He is claims manager for Midland Transport Ltd. Dan Yamnitz, claims manager for FedEx National LTL, was named program and sponsorship chair.