Mutating Mpox Virus Poses Challenges to Containment Efforts
Changes in the mpox virus are just the latest challenge facing disease trackers trying to contain an outbreak of the virus that’s become a global health emergency. The surge of cases is centered in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a …
Client Mix-up Leads to Lawsuits, Bar Complaint Against Mississippi Comp Lawyer
What’s in a name? Thousands of dollars, a lost job, denied insurance coverage and the possibility of a suspended law license for a Mississippi workers’ compensation attorney, apparently. It all has to do with injured workers – both named Dorothy …
Second US Judge Blocks FTC Ban on Worker ‘Noncompete’ Agreements
A federal judge in Florida has temporarily blocked a U.S. Federal Trade Commission rule that would ban agreements commonly signed by workers not to join their employers’ rivals or launch competing businesses, becoming the second judge to rule that the …
Chevron to Pay $550 Million Settlement to Richmond, California
Chevron Corp. is to pay Richmond City Council $550 million over 10 years, the city said in a statement, in a settlement that saw it drop a proposed ballot on a new tax on the oil major’s Richmond refinery. Richmond …
All-Star Hamby Sues WNBA, Aces Alleging Discrimination, Retaliation for Being Pregnant
All-Star Dearica Hamby sued the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and her former team in federal court Monday regarding her treatment from the Las Vegas Aces while pregnant. Hamby’s lawsuit alleged the Aces discriminated and retaliated against her, leading to …
Trucking Firm Owner Pleads Guilty to Charges Related to Crash That Killed 7 Bikers
An owner of a now defunct trucking company agreed to plead guilty on Tuesday to federal charges related to a deadly crash in New Hampshire that killed seven motorcyclists. Dunyadar Gasanov, 39, pled guilty in Springfield, Massachusetts to three counts …
Auto Insurance Shopping Elevated As Loss Costs Potentially Moderate
As industrywide auto insurance loss costs appear to be moderating, consumers continue to shop policies at elevated rates, according to the latest quarterly Insurance Personal Lines and Perspectives report from TransUnion. The American consumer credit reporting agency found that the …
Roofing Materials Supplier to Oregon Jobsite Fined $92K for Repeated Fall Hazard Exposure
The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division fined a building materials supplier $92,226 for repeatedly failing to protect workers from potential fall hazards. The citation issued to ABC Supply Co. Inc. followed an inspection of a jobsite in Salem where …
Maine Regulators Reject Letting Utility Report Suspect Marijuana Growers to Police
Maine utility regulators unanimously rejected on Tuesday an electric utility’s proposal to proactively report high consumption that signals a marijuana growing operation to law enforcement officials in an attempt to aid police crackdown on illicit operations. The three-member Public Utilities …
Construction Defects Are Not Covered Property Damage in Commercial Liability Policy
A home builder is not covered under the property damage coverage in its commercial liability policy for construction defects for which it was responsible. A three-judge panel of the Massachusetts Appeals Court has held for the first time that “construction …
Best Agencies to Work For: Submit Now.
Is your agency a Best Place to Work? Then it’s time to nominate your agency for Insurance Journal’s “Best Agency to Work For” award. To nominate your agency, you must be a current employee of the agency you are nominating. …
Chicago Contractor Faces $268K Penalty for Exposing Workers to Deadly Fall Hazards
A federal workplace safety investigation has found that a metro-Chicago carpentry contractor with a long history of exposing employees to potentially deadly hazards again ignored regulations to protect workers from falls. For the seventh time since 2013, the U.S. Department …
Oklahoma Town to Pay $7M to Exonerated Former Death Row Inmate
EDMOND, Okla. (AP) — An Oklahoma city has agreed to pay more than $7 million to a former death row inmate who was exonerated after nearly 50 years in prison, making him the longest-serving inmate to be declared innocent of …
People Moves: Powers Insurance & Risk Management Promotes Winkelmann
Powers Insurance & Risk Management, headquartered in St. Louis, recently promoted Rachel Winkelmann to commercial lines account executive and trainer. As Powers’ new trainer, Winkelmann handles training and onboarding for new commercial lines team members. Before her promotion, Winkelmann worked …
People Moves: Markel Taps QBE’s Smith to Lead Marine & Energy Liability Team, Int’l Specialty; QBE Promotes Lascelles as Dir. of Underwriting, Marine and British Marine
This edition of International People Moves details appointments at the insurers Markel and QBE. A summary of these new hires follows here. Markel Taps QBE’s Smith to Lead Marine & Energy Liability Team, Int’l Specialty Markel, the insurance operations within …
PCF Acquires Asset Insurance Agency in Massachusetts
Utah-based PCF Insurance Services reports it has acquired the insurance business of Asset Insurance Agency, based in Peabody, Massachusetts. Asset Insurance Agency sells auto, home, commercial and life insurance in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Florida, Rhode Island and Connecticut. Erik …
People Moves: Zurich Promotes Nolan to Head of Surety in US; Zink Joins Everest to Lead Specialty Underwriters
Zurich Promotes Nolan to Head of Surety in US Zurich North America, headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois, has promoted Chris Nolan to head of surety in U.S. national accounts. Nolan, who is based in New Jersey, succeeds Bob Murray, who retired …
FirstEnergy Corp. to Pay $20M to Settle Ohio Bribery Scheme
The energy company at the center of a $60 million bribery scheme in Ohio will pay $20 million and avoid criminal charges as part of a deal with state prosecutors to resolve its role in the scandal. Akron-based FirstEnergy Corp. …
Pressure Mounts on Texas Regulator as ‘Zombie’ Oil Wells Spill Toxic Fluids
PECOS COUNTY, Texas – On a sprawling ranch in Pecos County in late July, oil well control specialist Hawk Dunlap used a backhoe to uncover an abandoned or so-called zombie well that had sprung back to life despite being plugged …
U.S. Auto Insurers’ Strong Performance to Continue Through 2025: Fitch
More favorable mid-year 2024 results of U.S. personal auto insurers are likely to continue through the end of 2024 and into 2025 due to material price increases and a moderation of claims severity trends “vastly” improving the segment’s profit footing, …