Eric J. Neal

Cole, Lether, Wathen & Leid, P.C. has been representing insurance clients since 1908. Over the years, the firm has been involved in a broad variety of cases involving first party and third party claims. Today, we represent dozens of insurance companies, underwriters, and adjusting firms. Our clients range from large carriers such as Farmers Insurance Group, Allstate Insurance Company, Safeco Insurance Companies, Progressive Insurance Company, State Farm Insurance Company, St. Paul/Travelers Insurance Companies, and Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's to regional carriers and self insured entities. The firm handles cases in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, and Hawaii. We represent clients in the Superior Courts, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court of Washington, the Courts of other Northwest States, in the Federal Courts, and in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

The firm has broad experience in both commercial and personal line losses. These cases range from multi million dollar commercial claims involving construction defects to fire and theft claims under homeowner and commercial policies. We are also routinely retained as liability defense counsel in a wide variety of third party cases including construction, professional liability, product liability and automobile accidents. Over the past 90 years, the firm has been involved in over 100 published Appellate Court decisions.

The firm has many years of experience in handling suspected fraudulent claims under commercial and homeowner policies. The firm has obtained defense verdicts in the Pang Warehouse loss and in the case of Manglona v. Allstate, the largest Commercial and Homeowner’s arson losses in the history of Washington State. We conduct examinations under oath, assist insurers in conducting investigations of suspicious claims, and represent insurers in the litigation of fraudulent claims.

The firm handles numerous construction defect cases, including first party and third party issues. We have obtained defense verdicts in front of juries on multi-million dollar cases on alleged collapse and other defect or water intrusion cases.

A substantial part of the firm's practice is devoted to advising adjusters, supervisors, and managers during the investigation and adjustment of claims. Typically, the problems include policy interpretation, loss measurement, coverage opinions, good faith requirements, examinations under oath, appraisal, etc. The firm also routinely defends claims involving allegations of Bad Faith and violations of the Consumer Protection Act. We are particularly proud of our record of providing advice at a reasonable cost which keeps Insurance Companies out of Court and anticipates problems before they occur.

For years, the firm has recognized that attorneys and insurers must take certain steps to remain competitive and cost effective. By specializing in distinct areas of insurance law, our need for legal research is reduced. Knowledge of policy requirements, legal procedures, strategy, and tactics, together with knowledge of expert witnesses, investigators, appraisers, adjusters, and others involved in our areas of practice increases efficiency. Most importantly, by working closely with claims personnel, sensible decisions can be made as to what legal work is truly necessary for each case, thereby achieving the desired result at a reasonable cost.

Hawaii
Idaho
Oregon
Washington

I am a graduate of the University of Washington and Seattle University School of Law. My practice involves complex coverage and bad faith litigation representing both insurers and individuals. I also assist carriers in insurance coverage investigations in both the property and liability contexts. I have assisted local and national insurers in coverage investigations and liability assessments. This practice has included providing initial adjusting advice and coverage opinions as well as the litigation, trial, and appeal of complex coverage and bad faith actions in both state and federal court. I have also successfully represented carriers in high profile media matters, including the Ethel Adams litigation and the lawsuit involving the unsanctioned removal of trees in Seattle’s Colman Park by a high ranking member of the judiciary. In the first party context, I have significant experience in claims and cases ranging from PIP/UIM disputes to collapse coverage, water intrusion, mold, construction defects, and perhaps most significantly, fraud. I also advise carriers and individuals in regard to coverage under liability policies, including Commercial General Liability forms. This practice includes the initiation and/or defense of declaratory judgment actions.

In addition, I have represented insurance agents in agent-negligence claims and also engage in third-party representation, including medical and professional malpractice cases and direct injury claims.

I also represent a number of private parties, including homeowners, contractors, and other private businesses in a range of matters. I also provide consultation services for a variety of insurers and private parties in risk-management, policy language, overall business practices, bankruptcy and estate disputes, and other litigated or non-litigated dispute resolution.

Washington State Bar Association

Categorizing interests is always an odd task, in that it is really the only category in this type of medium that sheds light on the person rather than the lawyer. My interests are many, but my passion is my family. I am the father of two wonderful little boys and the fortunate husband to a fantastic wife. As a native of the Pacific Northwest, my interests naturally tend to reflect the diverse and dynamic nature of the region. By that I mean that I love football, baseball, and basketball. I cook. I write. I hang out with my kids. And mostly, I hope and pray every day that the Mariners will win a World Series in my lifetime.