June 2005 East Bay Claims Meeting

"Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n Roll" at May EBCA Meeting -
"Anatomy of An Arson" reveals steamy details
Get your reservations in now for the EBCA meeting, June 14th.

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EBCA Treasurer (and Past Pres.) Phil Hughes, and Secretary Carol Valenzuela greeted May attendees	Ulises Castellon introduced an arson case study file that he and associate, Doug Wood, worked on - a case filled with intrigue	The May meeting drew more than sixty people yet again, all of whom became engrossed in the details of the case.	Guitar dude graphic faetured as part of U.C.'s "Sex Drugs and Rock 'n Roll" visual presentation.


Guest speaker, Doug Wood, illustrates the grounds on which the case occurred.	EBCA President, Bob Tucknott, thanks Ulises Castellon and Doug Wood for this intriguing presentation.	Ulises at the computer animator.	The tag-team of Ulises Castellon and Doug Wood covered a lot of ground in outlining their arson case of intrigue.

photo image of session header: Sex, Drugs, and Rock n Roll
Castellon and Wood give dynamic presentation on Anatomy of an Arson Case at May East Bay Claims Meeting
By Bryan Harrison

The house on "Heroin Hill" burned in September 1988, in what was ultimately determined to be a case of arson. Events at the Marin County home of a family, whose names were kept anonymous, were outlined in great detail at the May 2006 EBCA luncheon meeting by two gentlemen who worked the case from the start. Ulises Castellon was the carrier adjuster. Doug Wood the insurance company defense lawyer. This team, along with others involved, stuck with this case for the duration, some ten years just to come to trial, ultimately finding that the home had been intentionally set ablaze.

Castellon and Wood tag-teamed again at the May 10th East Bay Claims meeting to review for the association the facts of the case, and how the reality of the arson came to light.

"This was one of the most engaging and provacative meetings I've attended in a long time," stated East Bay Claims President, Bob Tucknott. "We had more than 60 people engrossed and, even though we ran a little overtime, it seemed that no one left early."

Through courtroom graphics, and more modern computerized tools, the duo painted a colorful picture of the events leading up to the actual burning of the building. The cast of characters involved made for some very entertaining material, indeed.

"Though far more money was spent on the defense of this claim than it would have cost to just pay the limits," explained Mr. Castellon, "there were twelve other homes on the hill." The verdict of arson was far more important to the carrier than just making the case go away. In the end, the truth triumphed!

EBCA Secretary, Carol Valenzuela, assisted with the door prize drawings.	Ryan McCann, with Fire Cause Analysis was in attendance.

Frank Shighafi, with Blue Sky Cleaners, looks on with UC and Doug Wood during early introductions	Michele Geer, of Farmers Insurance, and Murat Zilinki, of Walter Springs Construction, listen in on the intriguing arson case.

Gold Tournament Committee Chair, Randy Agnetti announced details of the August 18th event, to be held back at Boundary Oak Golf Course in Walnut Creek. Download registration/sponsorship flyer

Tracie Jamison, of TempHome Services, at the May meeting.

Thank You to All Our May Door Prize Contributors
CRDN
Vanderbuilt Construction
Pipe Pros
Tucknott Electric Co.
HarBro Construction, Inc.
Blue Sky Cleaners
ProTech Environmental
Coast Construction
Int'l Insurance Institute, Inc.
Walter M. Springs Construction
EFI Global

EBCA President, Bob Tucknott, welcomed the May crowd.

Congratulations to Noelle Stitt, of Farmers Insurance, winner of the 50/50 Raffle Drawing.

Doug Wood worked on the case that took ten years to even get to trial.

Janell Fisher, of Int'l Insurance Institute, at the East Bay Claims meeting.

Join the EBCA
Wednesday,
June 14, 2006
as we welcome
Bill Haack
Engineering Design and Testing
Electrical Aspects of Fire Investigations
Make reservations now!