Originally from Dispute Resolution Journal

At this anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the most devastating hurricane in U.S. history, it is useful to evaluate the mediation program the Louisiana Department of Insurance created to help homeowners resolve their Katrina-related property damage and destruction claims with their insurers. The Katrina program offered homeowners the chance to mediate in the hope of negotiating an agreed-upon settlement of their claims.

To assess how the program worked, I reviewed numerous mediator evaluation forms prepared by the parties and settlement disposition forms prepared by mediators relating to mediations completed from the onset of the program in February 2006 through December 2006.1 I also reviewed the responses to a questionnaire I sent to the most active mediators serving on the Katrina program. My research indicated that the program served its purpose and having experienced mediators was a real plus. However, the data also revealed a few concerns that ADR providers could address when implementing future disaster mediation programs.