An influx of tort claims in several states, from construction defects to products liability and personal injury, is straining the already stretched-thin resources of several big insurance defense law firms.

The influx of work has forced firms in the industry to try to staff up to meet demand. But as new talent becomes increasingly difficult to find, some firms have paused their intake of new work or slowed down their intake of new matters, according to partners, recruiters and leaders of insurance defense firms.