Recent Publication:
While politicians may be more interested in whether a state is a Blue State or Red State, subrogation professionals want to know if a state is what we refer to as a “Good State or Bad State” based on its comparative fault laws. Are you a Bad State where a certain level of fault of your insured...
Jake P. Skaggs handles large loss files for the firm's Subrogation & Recovery Department throughout Texas and Louisiana, including retaining experts, identifying responsible parties, and litigating the matter through arbitration or trial.
Jake earned his Bachelor of Science in finance from Florida State University in 1998. He earned his law degree from South Texas College of Law in 2001, where he served as an assistant editor of the South Texas Law Review.
News
April 28, 2008
Cozen O’Connor has announced that 17 of its associates have been named members of the firm. ''We are extremely proud to welcome these highly qualified attorneys into membership in the firm,'' said Thomas A. Decker, president and chief executive officer of Cozen O'Connor, ''Their individual and combined contributions reflect the talent and strength of our firm.''
Publications
February 02, 2021
While politicians may be more interested in whether a state is a Blue State or Red State, subrogation professionals want to know if a state is what we refer to as a “Good State or Bad State” based on its comparative fault laws. Are you a Bad State where a certain level of fault of your insured...
January 11, 2021
Jason Schulze, Stephen Halbeisen, Jake Skaggs Elliott Feldman and Kevin Hughes discuss the status of the litigation arising out of Hurricane Harvey, which made landfall in Houston on August 25, 2017,
October 16, 2015
Earlier this year, Houstonians awoke to find most of their city underwater. This month, South Carolina experienced torrential rains that were so severe that—in some areas—the total rainfall exceeded the expected rain totals for a 1 in 1,000 year storm. The World Resources Institute, in collaboration...
January 15, 2014
Energy production in the United States is at an all-time high. In 2013, an average 7.5 million barrels of oil were pumped every day, which bested the previous production record (2012) by one million barrels. Domestic oil production has increased every year from 2011 to 2013. By comparison, between 1971 and 2011, oil production in the United States decreased 29 of the 40 years. Regardless of whether this level of domestic production can be sustained for the long term, elevated domestic oil production is a reality for the near future. Unfortunately, more oil production and the by-products that are created as a result of that production, increases the likelihood a spill or release will occur that can damage property and give rise to an insurance claim.
December 28, 2012
What is the value of a prized pet? Will the law on pet value change in Texas in 2013? How do other states value pets? Those questions and others are addressed in our December Subrogation Alert discussing whether the sentimental value of a pet can be recovered.
September 14, 2012
In a subrogation case, what type of evidence is required to prove real property damages at trial? Many times, the only evidence of damages that is readily available is the property adjuster’s Xactimate estimate and testimony. As of late, this type of evidence is no longer sufficient. In...
November 28, 2011
When to draft an expert report is an area of disagreement amongst subrogation professionals, attorneys and experts. Typically the attorney will request that an expert wait to draft a report until discovery is complete and the deadline to designate testifying experts is on the horizon. Conversely,...
July 29, 2010
Summer 2010 - Subrogation & Recovery Observer -
April 16, 2007
Ford Recalls 500,00 Ford Escapes for Fire Causing Defect - Subrogation and Recovery Alert! - 1 pg total. Ford initiated the recall after receiving numerous complaints that the Escapes’ anti-lock brake module was over-heating, smoking and sometimes catching fire. Similar to the very familiar speed control deactivation switch fires, the Escapes’ anti-lock brake module is always energized and it can catch fire even if the car is turned off and the keys are out of the ignition.