Subrogation

The right of an insurer, after paying a claim on behalf of its insured, to pursue recovery from a third party who is legally responsible for the loss. In legal malpractice insurance, subrogation may arise when the insurer pays a claim caused in part by the negligence of co-counsel, an expert witness, or another third party. The insured is generally required to cooperate with the carrier's subrogation efforts and to refrain from any actions that would impair the carrier's recovery rights.