George McMullin has devoted more than 14 years to the representation of insurance carriers in prosecution of subrogation claims against responsible third-parties. This includes various practice areas such as tort liability, products liability, construction defects, subsidence litigation, materials failures, and fire spread litigation. One noteworthy recovery effort by George includes a lawsuit arising from a roof collapse at a mall, resulting in damages exceeding $4.6 million. Also adept at claim resolution, George resolved a claim involving glass panels during the cleaning of the exterior masonry, resulting in damages over $2.2 million. His experience encompasses a vast array of indemnity claims, disputes regarding hurricane losses, and heavy equipment claims. A Partner in the Dallas office, George is known for his depth of experience, responsiveness, and hard work.
George attributes his “roll-up-your-sleeves” work ethic to his family, especially his father who was a blue-collar worker who believed in working hard and getting it done right the first time. He inherited that same assiduousness, which became evident when he managed two restaurants in his early years. Through his managerial positions, George quickly learned how to work in a fast-paced environment, all while interacting with customers and putting their interests first. George has maintained that same dedication to his work today and seamlessly navigates his cases in such a way that prompts clients to commend his ability to provide information in a clear, straightforward way.
An effective and knowledgeable communicator, George regularly speaks at conferences and on webinars for the National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP) and the Property & Liability Resource Bureau (PLRB). An expert in his field, George has written over nine published articles on topics ranging from subrogation and automation to rules on fire scene negligence.
With a passion for hard work and a heart for giving, George channels his dedication outside of work through helping families with children on the autism spectrum. George and his family give back by donating and participating in autism awareness events around the Dallas and Ft. Worth areas. George knows that giving- no matter the magnitude- can make a profound impact on the lives of others.
Publications
February 23, 2018 PUBLICATION Subrogation in a Machine's World - How automation and connected devices are changing subrogation investigations
When people hear the word “internet,” they usually think of search engines, funny videos, or personal interactions through social media. But the internet involves so much more. Machine-to-machine (M2M) communication represents a significant portion of all internet communications.
June 21, 2016 PUBLICATION The Inadequacies of the Diminution of Value Approach to Damages to Real Property in Tort Claims
Generally speaking, the purpose of tort damages is to make an injured party whole and restore the injured party, as nearly as reasonably possible, to the position in which he or she would have held absent the injury. When dealing with damages sustained to real property, most jurisdictions provide that the cost to repair the property is the proper measure of damage so long as the cost to repair does not exceed the diminution in value, which is the difference between the fair market value immediately before and immediately after the damages are sustained.
May 01, 2013 PUBLICATION Avoiding The Economic Loss Rule In Construction Claims
The Economic Loss Rule was initially developed in the products liability context....
However, over the years, courts have used the product liability concepts created in the early cases interpreting the Rule to expand the Rule's application to include construction claims, which has created problems in applying the Rule in non-product liability claims. [T]the troublesome cases discussing the dreaded economic loss rule have usually arisen in the field of construction.
April 01, 2012 PUBLICATION Tort Reform Legislation in Alabama
This past legislative session, Alabama passed significant tort reform bills - something that has not been done since 1999. The legislative changes discussed below particularly affect subrogation rights and include changes to the laws affecting admission of expert testimony, product liability claims, and construction defect claims.
October 14, 2010 PUBLICATION Workers' Compensation Lien Pursuant To 440.39(3)(A) Fla. Stat. Limited In Breadth
Under Florida's Workers' Compensation Statute, when an employee is injured in his/her Course and Scope of employment due to the negligence of a third party, the injured worker is able to pursue recovery for his/her injuries from the negligent third party; and the workers' compensation carrier is entitled to assert a lien in the amount of the benefits provided against any settlement or judgment obtained by the injured worker.
July 08, 2010 PUBLICATION Arbitration of Construction Defect Claims
Arbitration Forums, Inc. and Construction Defects Claim Managers Associations (CDCMA) have begun a new joint project to develop a special arbitration forum related to certain construction defect claims. This joint project is intended to develop awareness that certain types of construction defect claims can be arbitrated through arbitration forums
February 01, 2010 PUBLICATION State Specific: North Carolina
This article was originally published in NASP's Subrogator publication, Winter 2010. 2010. Reprinted by permission.
Contact the authors for a full version of the article.
April 01, 2006 PUBLICATION Recent Change in Florida's Spoliation Law
Until 2003, Florida courts recognized an independent tort of spoliation for both first and third party claims. However, that all began to change with the Fourth District Court of Appeal's decision in Martino v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 835 So. 2d 1251 (Fla. 4th DCA 2003). In Martino, the plaintiffs filed a premises liability action against Wal-Mart, alleging that Mrs. Martino was injured while shopping at a Wal-Mart store when her shopping cart collapsed. Later, when Wal-Mart could not produce the shopping cart nor the security video that may have recorded the incident, the plaintiffs added a claim against Wal-Mart for spoliation of evidence. Wal-Mart filed a motion to dismiss the plaintiff's spoliation claim, which the trial court granted.
October 01, 2005 PUBLICATION Fire Department Negligence Not Considered Intervening Cause in Franklin County, Ohio
This case involves a subrogation action following payments made by a commercial property carrier to its insured as a result of a fire that occurred at an insured apartment complex located in Franklin County, Ohio. The fire occurred on January 28, 2003, after one of the tenants in the apartment complex placed hot ashes from his fireplace into a cardboard box, and then left the box unattended inside of his unit. Approximately 30 minutes later, a fire ignited. The tenant quickly called the fire department, who responded and extinguished the fire. The fire damage was confined to the tenant's unit which suffered approximately $10,000 worth of damage.
Media
Webinars
February 27, 2019 WEBINARS Everything is Automated and It's Complicating My Subrogation Investigation
Presenters will discuss the impact of automation and Internet-controlled devices, which creates additional considerations for the subrogation professional and the forensic experts retained to perform a causation investigation. Because these systems rely on internal networks to communicate to the Internet and the Internet to communicate with remote servers and services, a number of failures could occur that cause or contribute to a loss event.
Community
June 26, 2020 COMMUNITY 2020 Seniors Awarded Laptops from Butler Weihmuller Katz Craig
For the fifth year in a row, Butler Weihmuller Katz Craig has spread some end of the school year cheer to seniors in eight different locations...
June 17, 2019 COMMUNITY CTRL Your Future 2019
Congratulations to our 2019 CTRL Your Future Winners! Read below for more information on the deserving Seniors who were awarded laptops.
June 22, 2017 COMMUNITY CTRL Your Future
For the second year in a row, Butler Weihmuller Katz Craig has spread some end of the school year cheer to seniors in eight different locations. Butler’s annual CTRL Your Future essay contest was created by the Firm’s Community Service Committee to recognize deserving high school seniors who have exhibited commitment to their academics. The winners in each city received a brand-new laptop with a full Microsoft Office Suite installed to assist them in their studies in the fall at their four-year college.
Events
December 04, 2019 EVENT George McMullin Presented at the 2019 Fire Symposium
Partner George McMullin presented at the 2019 Fire Symposium hosted by Firensics, Inc...
October 28, 2019 EVENT Conducting a Subrogation Investigation in a Connected World
We are all interconnected by the internet because of our use of social media and smart devices. This presentation is intended to help the subrogation professional effectively utilize this connectivity to enhance his/her investigation into the viability of a subrogation claim. The presenters will provide the attendees with valuable information that can be used to assist in a subrogation investigation. The presenters will also discuss how to use these resources in an efficient and effective manner.
October 23, 2016 EVENT Subrogation Investigation in a Catastrophic Structural Collapse
NASP 2016 Annual Conference
October 28, 2014 EVENT NASP Webinar
Ethical Considerations for Subrogation Professionals During the Claims Handling Process
May 10, 2013 EVENT NASP Florida Southeast Region Chapter Meeting
Investigating and Litigating Subrogation in a Significant Weather Event
November 13, 2012 EVENT PLRB/LIRB 2012 Central Regional Adjusters Conference
Subrogation: Products that Fail Repeatedly
October 17, 2012 EVENT NASP Florida Chapter Meeting
Understanding and Drafting Releases
September 05, 2012 EVENT PLRB/LIRB 2012 Western Regional Adjusters Conference
Subrogation: Products that Fail Repeatedly
August 23, 2012 EVENT NASP Chapter Meeting
How Process Improvements Can Increase Subrogation Recoveries
June 26, 2012 EVENT PLRB/LIRB 2012 Eastern Regional Adjusters Conference
Subrogation: Products that Fail Repeatedly
October 21, 2011 EVENT NASP Webinar
Improving Recoveries by Understanding the Investigation of the Electrically-Caused Fire
January 20, 2011 EVENT NASP Florida Chapter Webinar
How to Realistically Value and Enforce a Workers' Compensation Carrier's Lien Rights Under Florida Law
News
September 25, 2019 NEWS 2019 Happy Hope Box Event
Butler is proud to work with the Message of Hope Foundation to help children who are enduring ongoing treatments across the U.S.
