Hartz Kastle on La Cuesta Enchilada

After a decade of yours truly beating Farmers like a bongo drum in Arbitration, young Dean Witten got lucky in the form of a $12,580.76 win. Although the award is for sums already paid and no money will change hands, young Dean was kind enough to leave a voicemail about it. Of course, we were already aware of it as we check the Arb site daily, but thanks anyway, young Dean. That is called "Oklahoma Nice". Now, this only the second Farmers win in two years that they did not have to split with us. Before this win, they had accumulated a grand total of $4,983.47 vs our $93,665.17 in this period, so this is a big deal. We expect parties and hangovers in Oklahoma City this week. Why, at this rate, if we lose every single case we file, they could catch up to us in five years. Scary.

Arb called and we made a deal: I will hear MD cases only, and not at the monthly Hearings, but at home. They send me a box of 20-25 cases, and I hear them as fast as I can, and send them back for more. The things I do for a Red Lobster gift card. Such a ho. Actually, I am enjoying this much more than when I heard liability cases, I know this stuff and I can write a Decision that will not be overturned. So here I am again. You wonder if I am fair? I am so fair it hurts. There are several carriers that I have a problem with, but when I hear one of their cases, that just goes away, and the merits of the case rule. Very liberating feeling. My bride gets a kick out of seeing bang my gavel when I finish a Decision.....

Recent funny little story: we are again hosting Arbitration Forums Hearings in our building, and the new Panel Administrator got out an old list of Panelists and gave me a call. Mind you, I have been a major thorn in the paw of this elephant for years now, and quit hearing cases several years ago for various reasons. See the early posts for more. As he was new, and not the crazy lady that was part of the reason I quit, I said, sure, send me some forms, I don't mind hearing cases again. Apparently he ran my name past the Denver or Florida people as that was the last I heard from him.....as my buddy says: "oh well..." I know AF needs plenty of good volunteers, particularly MD people, so please click on the link above and consider being a Panelist. Free breakfast, free lunch, juicy files, and the thrill of being a judge.....I still have my two Panelist of the Year gavels on my bookcase.....