Why Partner With Rust?

Managing Complexity to Reduce Costly Errors

Rust has the experience to successfully manage the involvement of multiple parties and the complex calculations typically found in property matters. Among the parties which may be involved in the administration process are class counsel, defense counsel, defendant companies, inspection firms, special masters, and claims-filing services. Rust’s experienced team verifies that the claims are valid and ensures that the calculations are done right to avoid costly errors in the processing of claims.

Expert Notice Maximizes Reach and Savings

Rust understands how critical it is to reach unidentified class members, which is why we partner with Kinsella Media. Having mastered the art and science of legal notification, Kinsella designs innovative notice programs that leverage all of today's available communication tools, including social media outlets. These programs cost-effectively reach class members and protect settlements from collateral attack.

Reducing Cost per Claim through Streamlined Process

Rust’s pre-settlement consultations help reduce the cost per claim by giving clients the benefit of our experience. Our dedicated property team leaders use their market insights built through the administration of complex and unique programs to streamline the claims process and reduce the overall cost for you.

Selected Case Experience

Complex Claims Process Spans 10 Years

The administration of a major siding settlement included a complex claims process that required Rust staff to confirm that claimants owned properties in question, determine that the product in question was the product covered by the settlement (as opposed to another manufacturer’s product), and confirm that the product was damaged. While creating this process, Rust trained a staff member to become a national leader in siding identification. Rust oversaw the inspection process carried out by an independent inspection firm, incorporating that firm’s results into calculations and payments. Rust distributed $1 billion and answered more than 1 million phone calls in these 10-year programs.

Rust Works with Inspection Firm to Ensure Quality Administration

In a large property settlement, Rust personnel underwent training with the inspection firm hired to manage that process and accompanied inspectors on over a dozen inspections to thoroughly understand the processes and ensure the settlement agreement was properly administered. Kinsella Media created and executed two notice programs for the class, which included homeowners in the United States and Canada. The notice program included direct mail, paid media, earned media and electronic notice through an informational website.

Expansive Media Notice Campaign

To reach class members, Kinsella Media designed and implemented an expansive published notice campaign targeting adults 35+ and homeowners with homes valued at $200,000 or more. The multimedia program included national consumer magazines, national newspaper supplements and earned media activities including an audio news release. Through an analysis of sales and distribution records, Kinsella Media was able to target additional paid and earned media to local areas where the majority of the at-issue product was used. Rust distributed more than $13.5 million.