Ravaged Fort Myers Becomes Magnet for Risk-Taking Property Buyers

A year after Hurricane Ian ripped through southwest Florida, wealthy risk-takers are transforming one beach town. In Fort Myers Beach, many of the middle-class cottages that once dotted the Estero Island town were wiped off the map. Ian killed 21 …

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Averted Disaster on Flight that Landed in Oregon Renews Scrutiny of Mental Health in Cockpit

What authorities describe as an off-duty pilot`s attempt to shut down the engines of a Horizon Air flight with more than 80 people on board has renewed attention on the mental fitness of those allowed in the cockpit. Joseph Emerson, …

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New York State Distributes $190M in Opioid Settlement Funds

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that New York has made available approximately $192.8 million provided in the first year of the opioid settlement agreements to support a variety of prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery initiatives to help New Yorkers affected …

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Actor Robert De Niro Tells Jury That Ex-Assistant’s Lawsuit Is ‘Nonsense’

Robert De Niro testified Monday in New York City at a trial resulting from a former personal assistant’s lawsuit accusing the actor of being an abusive boss. De Niro, who at times appeared grouchy, restrained himself from erupting at the …

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7 Firms Settle With EPA Over Alleged Underground Storage Tank Violations

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken action against several companies including gas station operators in New Jersey, New York and the U.S. Virgin Islands to address alleged violations of federal laws regarding the maintenance and operation of underground petroleum …

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Risk Strategies Acquires Philadelphia Area’s Fairmount Benefits

Boston-based national specialty insurance broker Risk Strategies announced it has acquired Fairmount Benefits Co., a Philadelphia-based specialty firm focused on employee benefit programs and technology for corporate employers. Fairmount Benefits has established specializations in funding mechanisms, pharmacy cost management, benefit …

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Member of Crew Tied to 490 Catalytic Converter Thefts Pleads Guilty

A Springfield, Massachusetts man pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston last week to his role in a regional organized theft crew that stole catalytic converters from over 490 vehicles. According to Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy, Santo Feliberty …

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EPA Urges Ban on Chemical Cited in ‘Civil Action’ Movie About Massachusetts City

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last week proposed banning the cancer-causing chemical trichloroethylene, which can be found in consumer products including automobile brake cleaners, furniture care and arts and crafts spray coating. The move would end a nearly four decade …

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Sentry in Wisconsin Contributes Another $350K to Support Maui Wildfire Recovery

Sentry Insurance in Wisconsin announced additional donations of $350,000 to bolster the ongoing Maui wildfire recovery efforts. The contribution brings the company’s total giving to Maui non-profits for direct wildfire relief to $1 million. As the venue for the PGA …

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People Moves: Allen Joins MEMIC Leadership Team; Bogdanovich Joins Alliant in Maine

MEMIC Names Allen Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Michelle Allen joined MEMIC‘s senior leadership team as senior vice president and chief human resources officer. MEMIC is headquartered in Portland, Maine. Allen has worked in human resources since …

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Ukraine Sees Russian Cyberattacks Growing More Sophisticated

A senior Ukrainian official said Russian cyberattacks are growing more sophisticated and have become daily occurrences aimed at disrupting vital infrastructure during wartime. Deputy Foreign Minister Anton Demokhin, who’s also the ministry’s chief digital transformation officer, said hackers continue to …

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Oregon Prosecutors Charge Off-Duty Pilot Accused of Trying to Cut Engines on Midflight Jet with Attempted Murder

Oregon prosecutors have charged an off-duty pilot accused of trying to cut the engines on a Horizon Air jet in mid-air with 83 counts of attempted murder. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office in Portland filed the charges just before …

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Forest Service Sued Over Flooding Deaths in Wake of New Mexico’s Largest Recorded Wildfire

Relatives of three people who died last year in a flash flood stemming from the largest wildfire in New Mexico’s recorded history are suing the U.S. Forest Service. The wrongful death lawsuit filed earlier this month alleges the Forest Service …

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Risk Strategies Acquires North Bay Business Unit of InterWest Insurance Services

Risk Strategies acquired North Bay, a business unit from InterWest Insurance Services LLC, adding specialty expertise to its Wineries Practice. Along with offices in Petaluma, California and Santa Rosa, California, the North Bay business unit purchase from InterWest includes its …

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Asbestos Wrongful Death Claim Allowed Against Employer as Workers’ Comp Exception

A Connecticut appeals court has revived a wrongful death claim that tests a narrow exception to the state law that makes workers’ compensation the exclusive remedy for most workplace deaths and injuries. Harold Dusto’s estate blames his death on mesothelioma …

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Q3 Net Income Up 45.7% at W.R. Berkley

Third quarter net income at W.R. Berkley Corp. increased nearly 46% compared to the same period last year to about $334 million. The Greenwich, Connecticut-based insurer’s consolidated combined ratio for the quarter improved to 90.2 from 92.1 a year ago …

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Florida Special Session Called to Punish Iran…and Help Floridians with Wind Mitigation

Florida lawmakers have agreed to convene in another special session – the sixth in three years – this time to sanction the country of Iran but with a little indirect Florida property insurance relief also on the agenda. The call …

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People Moves: Canales Joins Alliant in California as Executive Vice President

Scott Canales has joined Alliant Insurance Services as executive vice president, Alliant Specialty. Based in Los Angeles, Calif., Canales has spent 38 years in the construction industry, with 31 years as a construction insurance broker. He was most recently in …

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Baltimore Firefighter Killed, Four Others Injured Battling Rowhouse Fire

A rapidly intensifying blaze that engulfed multiple rowhouses in northwest Baltimore late Thursday afternoon left one firefighter dead and four others injured, city officials said. The injured firefighters sustained varying degrees of burns and are receiving medical treatment, officials said …

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4 Cows Killed in Truck Rollover Crash in Connecticut; Another 6 Euthanized

A tractor-trailer carrying 44 dairy cows crashed on a Connecticut highway exit ramp early Thursday, killing eight of the animals immediately while another six had to be euthanized because of their injuries, state police and agriculture officials said. Police and …

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Washington Commissioner Fines UnitedHealthcare $500K

Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler imposed a $500,000 fine against UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company for reportedly failing to demonstrate how it administers its mental health and substance use disorder benefits in accordance with state and federal laws. Half of the fine …

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Maryland Medical Waste Incinerator Fined $1.75M for Exposing Public to Biohazards

A medical waste processing company has pleaded guilty to dozens of environment-related charges and agreed to pay $1.75 million in fines after state prosecutors in Maryland accused a south Baltimore incineration plant owned by the firm of exposing the public …

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Viewpoint: California’s Personal Auto Market: Steering Through Change

The withdrawal of major homeowners insurance companies in the California market made national headlines, but news just as concerning and impactful is California’s private passenger auto insurance market. Much like the homeowners market, the PPA market has seen significant changes …

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AM Best Withdraws Credit Ratings of Civil Service Employees Insurance Co. and CSE Safeguard Insurance Co. in California

AM Best has downgraded the Financial Strength Rating to B (Fair) from B+ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings to “bb” (Fair) from “bbb-” (Good) of Civil Service Employees Insurance Company and CSE Safeguard Insurance Company, which together comprise …

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PG&E’s Plan to Bury Power Lines and Prevent California Wildfires Faces Opposition over Rates

Pacific Gas & Electric – one of the nation’s largest utilities whose equipment has sparked some of California`s deadliest wildfires – wants to bury power lines in some of its most at-risk areas to prevent destructive blazes like the 2018 …

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Takeaways from Our Conversation with a Specialist Who Focuses on Baby (New) Cannabis Companies

In sales, you always hear about the big fish. For one, catering to new companies, or what some would call business babies or startups, takes a lot of work for less return. However, Danielle Hernandez has built her business on …

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Baltimore Archdiocese Suspends Monk Who Paid to Settle Sex Harassment Complaint

A Benedictine monk has been suspended from ministry after the Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore recently became aware of a payment he made several years ago to settle sexual harassment allegations. Last week, Father Paschal Morlino was dismissed from his position …

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Asleep at Wheel: When a Medical Emergency Does Not Negate a Driver’s Negligence

A driver who suffers a sudden medical emergency and crashes into another vehicle may be held liable for the accident even if never diagnosed with the condition or never advised not to drive. If the driver knew or should have …

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Los Angeles Hit With Verdict Topping $13M in Death of Man

A federal court jury returned a $13.5 million verdict against the city of Los Angeles in a lawsuit over the death of a man after two police officers used their bodyweight on his back to restrain him, the plaintiff`s attorneys …

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US Plans to Push Other Countries Not to Pay Hacker Ransoms

The US is pushing a group of governments to publicly commit to not make ransom payments to hackers ahead of an annual meeting of more than 45 nations in Washington later this month. Anne Neuberger, deputy national security adviser, told …

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Slide Assumes 86,000 Farmers Policies in Florida, Offers Appointments to Agents

Tampa-based Slide Insurance, which has made a practice of assuming Florida policies from other insurers in the last two years, said it has acquired renewal rights to 86,000 homeowner policies from Farmers Insurance. Farmers said in June that it would …

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Sailing Vessel That Suffered Broken Mast, Killing Passenger, Had Previous Incidents

A historic sailing vessel on which a passenger was fatally injured by a broken mast was involved in three previous accidents in 2022 and 2019 when the schooner was under different ownership, according to Coast Guard records. The Grace Bailey, …

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70-Year-Old Man Settles With Catholic Diocese Over Sex Abuse Suffered at Age 8

A 70-year-old man who recently reached a settlement with a Roman Catholic diocese in Massachusetts over sexual abuse he suffered at age 8 said Wednesday he is speaking out because “my voice was taken away from me for all those …

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Mississippi Sheriff Claims Immunity to Federal Lawsuit Over Torture of Black Men

The Mississippi sheriff who leads the department where former deputies pleaded guilty to a long list of state and federal charges for the torture of two Black men has asked a federal court to dismiss a civil lawsuit against him. …

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Media Entrepreneur Wants to Unite Young Activists with Power Brokers to Make Social Media Safe

A media entrepreneur is trying to connect young people disturbed by the impact of social media on mental health with older power players to fight for change in how tech companies do business. The newly-formed Sustainable Media Center is intent …

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People Moves: Barnes Joins Alliant in California as EVP, Managing Director

Alliant Insurance Services, headquartered in Irvine, Calif., named Greg Barnes executive vice president, managing director, Alliant Specialty. Barnes is based in Los Angeles, Calif. He most recently served as president at Lockton Companies and previously served as a capital markets …

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Viewpoint: Reinsurance Solution Would Help Homeowners Exposed to Wildfires Face the Challenge

Wildfire has become an increasingly challenging threat in many Western States. With an ever-increasing frequency and intensity, this continues to pose a serious threat to lives and properties across the exposed area. Wildfires are occurring earlier in the season and …

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Virginia Family Sues School System for $30M Over Student’s Sexual Assault

A teenager and her parents have filed a $30 million lawsuit against a northern Virginia school system, saying the district failed to adequately investigate and tried to cover up her sexual assault by a male student in a high school …

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Businesses in Vermont`s Flood-Damaged Capital Rebuilding Slowly

Nearly three months after severe flooding inundated Vermont’s capital city, Montpelier businesses launched an event Friday to celebrate how much they`ve rebuilt — and remind the public not to forget them as they struggle to make a complete comeback. The …

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Internet Companies Report Biggest-Ever Denial of Service Operation

Internet companies Google, Amazon and Cloudflare say they have weathered the internet’s largest-known denial of service attack and are sounding the alarm over a new technique they warn could easily cause widespread disruption. Alphabet Inc-owned Google said in a blog …

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AIG Makes Leadership Promotions for ‘Next Phase of Profitable Growth’

American International Group (AIG) on Oct. 11 announced three significant appointments within its executive leadership team. David McElroy, currently chief executive officer of General Insurance, will assume a newly created role of chairman, General Insurance. AIG said McElroy will focus …

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California Business Owner and Office Manager Charged for Workers’ Comp Fraud

Bobby Levell Gilbert, Jr., 66 of Santa Ana, California, and owner of B & J Tree Service, has been charged with 96 felony counts for alleged wage theft, denial of workers’ compensation benefits to employees, workers’ compensation fraud, failure to …

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Court OKs Mallinckrodt Restructuring, $1 Billion Cut to Opioid Settlement

Drugmaker Mallinckrodt on Oct. 10 won court approval for a bankruptcy plan that cuts $1 billion from what it must pay opioid crisis victims, cancels existing equity shares, and trims nearly $2 billion in other debt. The Ireland-based company reached …

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Wisconsin Milling Company Agrees to $11.2M Settlement After Fatal Corn Dust Explosion

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A milling company has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges that employees at a Wisconsin corn plant falsified records in the years leading up to a fatal corn dust explosion. The plea deal calls for …

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Oklahoma McDonald’s Sued for Sexual Harassment

A McDonald’s restaurant in Checotah, Oklahoma, operated by franchisee Arch Fellow North LLC, violated federal law when a manager sexually harassed a 17 year-old worker, and she was forced to resign, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in …

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ALKEME Acquires Cartier Insurance Service Group in Texas

ALKEME acquired Cartier Insurance Group in Houston, Texas and serving Texas, California and Arizona. Cartier Insurance Company is focused on insurance for the trucking and transportation industry and has diversified its offerings to include a range of commercial insurance for …

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Arthur J. Gallagher Acquires The Coverage Pro in Arizona

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. acquired Scottsdale, Arizona-based The Coverage Pro. As part of the transaction Gallagher will also acquire The Coverage Pro’s affiliated company General Southwest Insurance Agency, based in Phoenix. Jeff LaScala, Caily LaScala and their team will …

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Oklahoma Construction Contractor to Pay $370K Over Worker’s Fatal Fall

An Oklahoma construction contractor entered into a deferred prosecution agreement and agreed to pay $370,680 in criminal and civil penalties to avoid federal prosecution on one count of ignoring federal safety regulations that resulted in a worker fatality in St. …

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Erie Insurance Takes Its Case Against Maryland Regulator to Appeals Court

Erie Insurance Co. is taking its tiff with the Maryland insurance commissioner over the handling of discriminatory practices findings to federal appeals court. The insurer maintains that the Maryland Insurance Administration has not afforded it adequate opportunity to respond to …

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Climate Change Can Cause U.S. Households ‘Significant Financial Strain’

Households can experience significant financial strain through pressures to income and expenses due to climate hazards, a report from the U.S. Department of Treasury shows. The report, The Impact of Climate Change on American Household Finances, adds to the department’s …

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New York City Subway Flood-Protection Projects Behind Schedule, Audit Says

Some projects designed to make New York City’s transit system more resilient in severe weather are behind schedule or over budget, according to an audit released on the same day that flash floods forced the closing of several subway lines. …

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As Criminal Trial Opens, FTX’s Bankman-Fried Battles Excess Insurer Over D&O Coverage

Just two days before his criminal trial started this week in federal court in New York, FTX Trading founder Sam Bankman-Fried filed suit in federal court in California against his excess insurance company seeking payment of legal costs. The suit …

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California Workers’ Comp Written Premium in 2022 Was Near Pre-Pandemic Level

Written premium in 2022 was 14% higher than 2021 and almost at the pre-pandemic level – an increase was driven by higher employee wage levels and the economic Recovery, according to a new report out on Wednesday from the Workers’ …

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5 Died of Exposure to Chemical in Central Illinois Crash, Preliminary Autopsies Find

Five people died from exposure to a chemical that spilled after a semitruck overturned in central Illinois, according to autopsies. Effingham County Coroner Kim Rhodes said official results from the autopsies won`t be available for several weeks. The victims of …

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Army Officer Pepper-Sprayed During Traffic Stop Seeks New Trial Against Police

A U.S. Army lieutenant who was struck, pepper-sprayed and handcuffed during a traffic stop in Virginia asked a federal appeals court on Monday to overturn rulings by a trial judge after jurors found mostly in favor of the two police …

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AstraZeneca to Pay $425 Million to End US Lawsuits Over Heartburn Drugs

Britain’s AstraZeneca has agreed to pay $425 million to settle about 11,000 lawsuits in the United States that claimed its heartburn drugs Nexium and Prilosec caused chronic kidney disease. AstraZeneca did not admit wrongdoing under the settlement, part of broader …

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Eli Lilly Settles New Jersey Whistleblower Allegations Over Manufacturing Practices

Eli Lilly and Co. and a former employee agreed to settle a lawsuit in which the worker claimed she was terminated after pointing out poor manufacturing practices and data falsification involving one of its blockbuster diabetes drugs, according to court …

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California Judge Rules Tesla Owners Must Arbitrate False Ad Claims Over Autopilot Feature- Ruling

A California federal judge has ruled that a group of people who own cars made by Tesla Inc TSLA.O must pursue claims that the company misled the public about its autopilot features in individual arbitration rather than court. The ruling …

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Homeowners Unprepared for Non-Weather-Related Water Damage: Report

Homeowners lack preparedness for non-weather-related water damage, even though water damage ranks as the second most prevalent cause of insurance loss claims, according to The Hanover Insurance Group in a new report. Despite being a leading cause of homeowners’ claims, …

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Chipotle Sued After Manager Allegedly Ripped off an Employee`s Hijab at Kansas Location

A federal agency has sued the restaurant chain Chipotle, accusing it of religious harassment and retaliation after a manager at a Kansas location forcibly removed an employee`s hijab, a headscarf worn by some Muslim women. In a lawsuit filed Wednesday, …

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Truck Crash in Illinois Kills Five and Forces an Evacuation

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Five people were killed and five were seriously injured after a truck overturned in central Illinois, causing a toxic substance to leak from its cargo and forcing the evacuation of hundreds of area residents, authorities said …

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Washington Asks Insurers to Expedite Approval Process for Debris Removal After Wildfires

Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler sent a letter asking insurance companies and adjusters working with communities impacted by the Gray and Oregon Road fires to expedite the approval process for debris removal. Speeding up the process will help assure people …

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