Robert J. Slavik

Member

Office Seattle

Phone (206) 373-7238 Fax (866) 229-5685

Email jslavik@cozen.com

Overview

Experience

News

Publications

Events

Robert "Jack" Slavik concentrates his practice in the prosecution of property damage claims. He has successfully litigated and tried cases throughout the United States in both state and federal court. Prior to joining Cozen O'Connor, he was a prosecutor in Federal Way, Washington.

Jack works throughout the Northwest handling cases in Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, Alaska, Idaho and Montana. Jack is admitted to practice in Washington, Montana, Idaho and Federal District Court in all three states. He is a member of the Washington State Bar Association, the Montana Bar Association, and NASP (National Association of Subrogation Professionals). Jack served as Chair of the Northwest Chapter of NASP from 2007-2011 and he speaks frequently on topics related to subrogation and recovery. Jack has extensive experience prosecuting propane and natural gas related losses and he has successfully pursued natural and propane gas explosion/fires throughout the Northwest. Jack also has extensive experience in complex product liability cases and has successfully handled matters involving lithium ion battery failures, vehicle defects, and a multitude of consumer product defects. Finally, Jack frequently handles construction defect cases involving fire protection system freeze/failures, building envelope failures, and other construction related losses.

Jack received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from California State University, Chico, in 1993, and earned his law degree at Seattle University School of Law in 1996.

Represented a large Oregon retail chain and its insured in a multimillion dollar fire caused by a defective uninterruptible power supply unit. The product manufacturer defended the case vehemently as the product was largely destroyed and very little evidence supporting the failure mode was found. After two years of intensive litigation involving depositions across the country, the manufacturer finally agreed to resolve the case favorably one week prior to trial.

Represented multiple insurers that paid losses as a result of a large fire caused by an individual in Roundup, Montana. Successfully convinced the tortfeasor’s two insurance carriers that both must provide coverage as he faced liability both as a building owner and contractor. The case eventually resolved when the two liability carriers acknowledged both must provide coverage and both agreed to pay their full liability limits.

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NFPA Bans Use of Antifreeze in Sprinkler Systems [Subrogation and Recovery Alert!]

September 28, 2010

NFPA Bans Use of Antifreeze in Sprinkler Systems - Subrogation and Recovery Alert! - In an incredibly ironic turn of events, the National Fire Protection Association has determined that the use of antifreeze within wet pipe sprinkler systems-to avoid freeze-ups-actually creates a fire hazard by virtue of the extreme flammability of the antifreeze solution. Consequently, the NFPA now has issued a safety alert recommending that residential wet pipe fire systems should be drained of antifreeze and filled with plain old water.

Fall 2009 [Subrogation and Recovery Observer]

October 01, 2009

Fall 2009 - Subrogation and Recovery Observer - Welcome to the Fall 2009 issue of the Cozen O'Connor Subrogation and Recovery Observer. In this issue, we report on our recent trial victories, notable settlements, and other newsworthy developments in subrogation issues

Summer 2008 [Subrogation and Recovery Observer]

July 01, 2008

Summer 2008 - Subrogation and Recovery Observer -

Insurance Coverage Observer [Winter 2008]

February 26, 2008

In this issue, we consider a number of emerging issues and also identify key developments in coverage in 2007. We summarize new court decisions dealing with toxic torts, environmental coverage, insolvency and regulatory issues, and construction defect. We feature a key construction defect coverage case in Illinois with important implications. We address global warming in the context of directors with officers liability coverage. Finally, we discuss the emerging areas of fax blast and food contamination, and the impact of the reauthorization of TRIA.

Claims Against Fire Departments in Washington and Oregon [Subrogation and Recovery - Articles and Papers - Regional Updates in Subrogation Law & Litigation]

January 13, 2006

Claims Against Fire Departments in Washington and Oregon - Subrogation and Recovery - Articles and Papers - Regional Updates in Subrogation Law & Litigation - 6 pgs total. In evaluating the subrogation potential of a fire loss, occasionally the fire fighting techniques employed by a public entity are called into question. An issue then arises regarding the feasibility of suing the fire department and/or the public entity in control of that fire department for negligent fire fighting techniques or mishandling of the fire scene. This paper will focus on a recent WA case that discusses the issue and also briefly discuss how it applies to cases in OR.

Governmental Immunity [Subrogation and Recovery Theories of Liability - Subrogation and Recovery - Articles and Papers]

January 13, 2006

Governmental Immunity - Subrogation and Recovery Theories of Liability - Subrogation and Recovery - Articles and Papers - 4 pgs total. Governmental immunity describes the various doctrines or statutes that provide federal, state, or local governments immunity from tort-based claims. We present a sampling of cases supporting the view that a special duty must be established in order to hold a governmental entity liable. Claims against governments are often subject to time sensitive notice requirements. Some jurisdictions have enacted liability caps that limit the amt. of damages that can be recovered.

Cracking of Plumbing Components & Subrogation of Cracked Plumbing Components		05/20/2021
Annual Insurance Seminar		09/18/2007