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2010 Railroad Claims Schools

Schedule: The General Claim Conference has tentatively scheduled the AAR General Claims School for May 24-28, 2010, inclusive at the Johnson County Community College and BNSF Railway Training Center in Overland Park, Kansas. Providing there is adequate demand, we intend to schedule both a basic and advanced program, which will run concurrently.

Basic Program: The curriculum will involve five days of eight hours in the classroom, some evening labs and homework each evening. It will include a crossing accident investigation at a simulated accident site, diagramming, statement taking, case evaluation, digital photography tips, evaluation of cumulative trauma cases, non-verbal cues, present value calculations, structured annuities, internet searches, direct settlement techniques, negotiation and a foundation in legal concepts, ethics and terminology.
Basic program students will need to bring their steel toe boots. We will provide hard hats, safety glasses and vests. The head facilitator for the Basic Claim School is Ronald S. Bedra, District Claim Agent with Norfolk Southern Corporation with 30 years of general claim experience, former law enforcement and training as a corpsman in the US Navy.

Advanced Program: The advanced program includes more intensive classes on negotiation skills, mediation, current legal development issues, direct settlement techniques usage of the federal data base PACER, catastrophic event claim handling, internet search tips, RRB issues, evidence preservation, joint facilities, IICA, digital photograph and Vehicle Event Data Recorders.
Advance program students will need to bring their steel toe boots. We will provide hard hats, safety glasses and vests. Students will devote part of a day and gain “hands on” experience with a variety of mechanical, operating, track and signal equipment. Gregg D. Keller, Senior Manager Education with BNSF Railway will be the head facilitator for the advanced school. Gregg has 36 years of general claim, operating and law enforcement experience.

Cost: The cost of the individual programs will be $400.00, which includes all class materials, catered lunches and a few evening meals. Incidentals, lodging and travel will be the responsibility of the students. We are tentatively planning to stay at the Holtze Executive Village near the campus.

Additional information concerning amenities, class schedules, lodging etc, will be published in the March issue of The Bulletin and available at our website.

William H. Renney, Chairman, Education Committee.