Veronica Duarte

• Commenced working in Attorney & Client Department as Legal Cost Officer on 1 August 2022
• Ensure non duplicate payment of bills
• Create spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel for daily, weekly and monthly reporting pertaining to Attorney & Client Bills attended to
• Loading of High & Magistrate taxed Court Bills on system for payment
• Peruse marked bills to ensure correct VAT tariff applied by attorney/tax consultant and Officer having marked Bill
• Attend to Deleted status Bills
• Ensure correct banking details of attorney have been captured by assistant

• Ensuring attendance, investigation & feedback to all Excel queries lists submitted by numerous Assessor firms
• Attendance to all invoices submitted
• Request payment of Invoice after Investigated and all documents inspected
• Actively listened and communicated with assessors in order to handle possible concerns, provide information and guidance
• Attended virtual team meetings with assessor firms when requested in order to enhance productivity
• Attended to all instructions given by Panel Management, Manager, Senior and provided feedback herein
• Liaised with erstwhile panel attorneys to obtain information due to assessors not being able to communicate with panel attorneys
• Saved RAF funds by returning duplicate Invoices; non payment of Invoices where Investigations were done without Vendor ticket issued for assessor by RAF ; non payment of Prescribed Invoices
• Further funds saved by correcting Invoices with incorrect fee structure which were not submitted in accordance with SLA during its subsistence
• Ensuring correct application on Invoices pertaining to VAT
• Requested Invoices from Iron Mountain and Metro File in order to assist where possible with Vendor tickets as well as avoidance of duplicate payments
• Provided all assessor firms with detailed, updated spreadsheets each fortnight as well as upon demand
• Efficient Time Managment: Assisted File Closure department in requesting files from Metro File; Filing Checklists completed & placing notes on claims view pertaining to date checklists filed on physical files
• Prepared variety of different written communications, reports and documents for Manager and Senior pertaining to progress report in finalization of Assessor Invoices & department.

• Contracted to File Closure as from 12 April 2021 as per Employee Performance Contract
• (Assessor department ceased to exist & was dissolved on 12 April 2021. Despite cessation, assessors had not submitted all invoices;Assessor queries and Invoices delegated to author to attend to in conjunction with File Closure Department )
• Receive and record files to be assessed within File Closure department
• Update status of allocated files on claims view system upon Finalization of file
• Update status of allocated files on claims view system upon changing status of file to Undertaking status
• Keep daily statistics of activities on work allocated, assessed and finalized
• Submit daily statistics as required by management pertaining assessments and finalizations
• Maintain accurate record of files finalized
• Complete & File physical checklists on physical files
• Request physical files from Metro file on daily basis to peruse file, complete checklist and place on physical file
• Carried out day-to-day duties efficiently within File Closure department whilst assisting in Assessor department

Pre Screen files to ensure they belong to the correct branch of the RAF

• Effective assessment of RAF Panel assessors Invoices
• Applying correct annual tariff on Invoices received
• Prevention of duplicate payments
• Attending to all RAF Panel assessor queries for dept as per instruction of Senior and Manageress
• Adhering to SLA signed between Assessor panelist and Road Accident Fund
• Print Reconciliation reports on a monthly basis for Assessors
• Acting Senior in Assessor department when Senior on annual leave or unforeseen circumstances
• Intense perusal of Investigated reports annexed to Invoice to ensure correct tariff applied by assessor
• Maintain turnaround time of capturing assessor Invoices for payment
• Adhere to turnaround time for attending to assessor queries
• Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere.
• Communicate with assessors, telephonically and per email pertaining to queries from RAF
• Collaborated with team members to achieve target results.

• (1 March 2018 to 30 June 2018)
• Attend to Breakdown of Bill of Cost received from Attorney
• Check for duplicate payments
• Verification that all necessary documents are attached to submitted bill
• Liaise with Attorney firm to ensure Banking details are correct
• Liaise with Attorney firm requesting outstanding documents where required
• Ensure that Correspondent attorney bill is annexed to Attorney bill
• Loading of bills on system for payment

• Senior & author Commence Assessor department upon Management Instruction
• Book boardroom upon instruction of Senior, after senior confirms date of meeting/s to be held with individual assessor firms
• Work with assessors to understand needs and provide excellent service
• Attend meeting with senior as P.A & type Minutes of Meeting
• Effective assessment of RAF Panel assessor invoices
• Ensure Prevention of duplicate payments
• Study submitted reports from assessor in order to ensure that correct tariff applied
• Capture invoices for payment and submit same to Senior
  
• Maintain turnaround time of capturing assessor Invoices for payment
• Adhering to Service Level Agreement signed between Assessor panelist and Road Accident Fund
• Prevention of wasteful expenditure
• Communicate with assessors, telephonically and per email pertaining to queries
• Collaborated with Senior Officer to achieve target results
• Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere
• Exceeded goals through effective task prioritization

• Receive and record files to be assessed within File Closure department
• Pre Screen files to ensure they belong to the correct branch of the RAF
• Update status of allocated files on claims view system upon Finalization of file
• Keep daily statistics of activities on work allocated, assessed and finalized
• Submit daily statistics as required by management pertaining assessments and finalizations
• Maintain accurate record of files finalized
• Complete physical checklists of files Finalized to assistants for Filing on physical files
• Collaborated with team members to achieve target results.
• Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere.

• SUMMARY OF EXPERIENCE
• Objection to validity & repudiation of claim where applicable
• Appoint relevant experts when/where necessary (Actuary, Panel attorney, Assessor, Medical experts)
• Attend to Court orders received, removed from Roll, postponements
• Assess validity of claim & email offer to attorney for Acceptance , revision or rejection
• Utilize the pro forma standard letter upon instruction panel attorney at to which plea should be raised where Regulation 3 on General damages has been incorrectly pursued though the Litigation process
• Assistant to check for duplicate claims
• Forward file to Medical department Bill Reviewer where necessary
• Load offer of acceptance and request payment on system
• Drafting of Undertaking
• Assistant to forward file contents to panel attorney appointed
• Diarize : trials, pre trials (to follow up on daily basis )
• Time and desk management imperative
• Delegate all summons received to assistant for filing on claimant file
• Prepare spreadsheet of all trials & pre-trials for month for own records and records of Senior Officer
• Prepare spreadsheet for senior of outcome of settled trial matters, Offers accepted, claims repudiated on weekly basis
• Discuss all trials above R100 000.00 timeous with Senior & Manager

• SUMMARY OF EXPERIENCE
• Merit and quantum investigation
• Drafting of Undertakings
• Objection to validity & repudiation of claim where applicable
• Prepare quantum Offer for attorney based on injuries sustained & apply relevant apportionment where applicable
• Forward physical files to Summons department upon receipt of summons
• Telephonic and email correspondence with claimant attorneys
• Request documents from attorney where necessary
• Load offer for payment upon acceptance and /or revised offer where applicable
• Update claim view notes
• Diarize claim files allocated to author to attend to on daily basis
• Assistant to check for possible duplicate claims lodged
• Assistant to request AR & docket from SAPS & Hospital records
• Time and desk management imperative
• Delegate all summons received to assistant for filing on claimant file
• Prepare spreadsheet of all trials & pre-trials for month for own records and records of Senior Officer
• Prepare spreadsheet for senior of outcome of settled trial matters, Offers accepted, claims repudiated on weekly basis

• October 2008 Unit Set Up for Purpose of FRAUD INVESTIGATION
• Team Unit comprising of approximately 12 Team members (Officers and Assistants) from Claims seconded to join "Project 2 Billion" to assist Forensic Department with Investigations
• Claims investigation not part of Project 2 Billion
• Approximately 10 Attorney firms identified for alleged fraudulent claims
• Objective: To detect fraud pertaining to ascertaining of unethical behavior; irregularities pertaining to claims handling , criminal activity and collusion
• 800 Files assigned to each Officer for perusal, investigation of irregularities
• Check done on HPSCA to establish whether doctor completing Form 1 registered as a medical practitioner
• Perusal of signatures on Power of Attorney; Consent Form,AR form, 19(f) Affidavit
• Communication skills utilized to communicate & interview efficiently with medical practitioners, claimants ,insured drivers etc
• Mortality checks done
• Provide Forensic department and Senior on a monthly basis with spreadsheet of files investigated and findings
• Type report for irregular findings on file, attach same to Physical file to send to Forensic department

• Personal Assistant to Gavin Joynt Attorney
• Family Law and Third Party Claim Consultant
• Delivering legal documentation to Advocate Chambers, High Court & Magistrate Court
• Conducted detailed client intakes , entered information into company database
• Translation from Portuguese to English and/or Afrikaans (as per instruction)
• Consulting with claimants injured due to motor vehicle accidents
• Correspondence with Road Accident Fund
• Completion of Form 1, obtaining all relevant document for valid lodgement of third party claim at Road Accident Fund
• Making appointments for victims to attend medico legal examinations
• Visiting scenes of motor vehicle accident/s, taking measurements & photographs
• Drawing up claimant & witness Affidavits
• Analyzed evidence gathering and presentation
• Interview victims in order to assess validity of claim & to avoid irregularities
• 
  
• (Returned to RAF 1 June 2004 after CCMA Ruling April 2004 for Re-Instatement of Author at RAF due to Procedural and Substantial unfair dismissal on 1 July 2004)

• Merit and quantum investigation on Identified as well as Hit & Run claims
• Contacting and tracing insured drivers to obtain telephonic statements
• Objection to validity & repudiation of claim where applicable
• Telephonic and email correspondence with claimant attorneys
• Check for duplicate payments
• Assist various Officers with ad hoc tasks whilst in training
• Making Offers
• Proceed with payment on acceptance of offers
• Diarize claim files allocated to author to attend to on daily basis
• Peruse claim file and documents lodged to check for validity of claim
• Update claims view notes on system
• Liaise with attorneys, SAPS, Traffic department, hospitals where necessary

• Follow up on queries
• Complete payment requisition on offers made by Officer
• Drawing and filing of correspondence received
• Updating claims system
• Collecting and delivering files to relevant departments
• Copying of necessary documents and sending to relevant stakeholders
• Liaising with stakeholders
• Time and desk managment
• Obtain list and files from Officer on daily basis to establish whether offer can be made

• Typing done for Management, Seniors, Officers and assistants
• Accurately typed 62 words per minute with no errors.
• Typing Minutes of meetings
• Creating transcriptions of audio recordings done by Seniors and Management (transcribing)
• Correcting of grammar, spelling errors, punctuation made by audio recordings and handwritten letters to attorneys and staff members
• Efficient typing in English and Afrikaans (as requested)

• Followed prescribed scripts and maintained friendly but firm attitude with full knowledge of contractual requirements and legal remedies
• Attending to all customer queries
• Track ongoing repayments & maintain contact with customers if they moved or missed payment of installment
• Researched accounts and completed due diligence to resolve collection problems.
• Contacted customers to collect outstanding payments negotiated installment methods.
• Performed administrative tasks such as recordkeeping, making telephonic contact and writing correspondence
• Performed administrative tasks such as recordkeeping, writing correspondence and gathering materials.
• Contacted customers to collect outstanding payments negotiated installment methods.
• 
  
• 
  

• Identifying type of transportation used by Wheat farmers to transport wheat from Farms to Co Operations
• Establishing distances traveled for delivery as well as mode of transport used. Utilization of physical maps to calculate exact distance traveled by farmer for conveyance of wheat to Co operation
• Payment for travel expenses incurred calculated by identifying mode of transport used being either rail road or truck
• Truck transportation expenses incurred calculated on diesel or petrol prices; rail road calculated on rail road transportation cost
• Payment amount calculated & handed to data capturers to capture for Finance department to re-imburse costs incurred for conveyance of wheat to farmer.

• 5 (Five) Staff Members
• Opening of new banking accounts
• Recording transactions ; balancing money deposited and money withdrawn on daily basis as a teller
• Reconciling Ledger accounts manually
• Keeping all customers personal information confidential
• Assisting and advising pertaining to Home Loans and different types of investments available
• Promoting the Building Society (bank) products and services to customers
• Processed customer transactions promptly, minimizing wait times.
• Answered customer inquiries regarding account balances, transaction history, services charges and interest rates