INSURANCE NEWS
Several Ukrainian State-Run Bodies Report ‘Large-Scale’ Cyber Attacks
Several major Ukrainian state organizations on Thursday reported cyber attacks on their systems, in the latest wave that a source close to the government blamed on Russian intelligence. Ukraine’s state-run energy company Naftogaz said one of the data centers had …
Vale, BHP Ordered to Pay $9.7 Billion for 2015 Brazilian Dam Disaster
Vale SA, BHP Group and their Samarco iron ore venture must pay 47.6 billion reais ($9.7 billion) in compensation for damages caused in a 2015 tailings dam disaster in Brazil, a judge ruled. The decision allows for the companies to …
Houston ‘Hire A Dick’ Attorney Faces Another Six Figure Sanctions Order
For the second time in three months, Houston plaintiffs’ attorney Eric B. Dick has been ordered to reimburse an insurer more than $100,000 for filing a “frivolous, groundless” lawsuit made “solely for the purpose of harassment.” Galveston County District Court …
NCCI President and CEO Donnell to Retire Early Next Year
The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) said President and Chief Executive Officer Bill Donnell plans to retire in February 2025 after about 10 years with the organization. “It’s been such a privilege to lead this organization and this amazing …
People Moves: XPT Hires Binding and Brokerage Team; Integris Promotes Cronin
XPT Specialty Names Binding and Brokerage Team XPT Specialty, headquartered in New York, N.Y., hired a production and underwriting team to serve Middle Atlantic and Northeast clients. The wholesale broker’s new team is led by Gregg Guerreiro, executive vice president …
Fate of Most Remaining Zantac Lawsuits Weighed by Delaware Judge
GSK, Pfizer and other pharmaceutical companies are urging a judge in Delaware this week to find that evidence plaintiffs’ lawyers want to use in about 72,000 lawsuits claiming that the discontinued heartburn drug Zantac caused cancer is not supported by …
Study: Manmade Warming Increasing Drought in Western U.S.
Manmade warming has increased the prevalence and severity of concurrent drought and heat events, also termed hot droughts, across Western North America in the 20th-21st century, a new report shows. The authors of the report developed the Western North American …
Google Settles AI-Related Chip Patent Lawsuit That Sought $1.67B
Google on Wednesday reached a settlement in a patent infringement lawsuit over chips that power the company’s artificial-intelligence technology, according to a filing in Massachusetts federal court. The settlement comes the same day that closing arguments were scheduled to begin …
California County Paying $5M Settlement Over Arrest Of Election Technology Company Founder
Los Angeles County agreed to pay $5 million to the founder and CEO of a software company who was briefly accused of stealing data on county poll workers in a case he said was pushed by conspiracy theorists. The Board …
People Moves: Former California Earthquake Authority CEO Pomeroy Joins GeoVera
Glenn Pomeroy, former CEO of the California Earthquake Authority (CEA), joined GeoVera as executive vice president of marketing and regulatory affairs effective February 1. GeoVera is headquartered in Fairfield, Calif. Pomeroy has over 30 years of industry experience, including eight …
Heavy Rains Cause Elevated Flooding Risks in Texas
HOUSTON (AP) —Heavy rains in Texas on Wednesday closed schools and elevated flooding risks around Houston in another round of soaking downpours that have made for a soggy and dangerous week across large portions of the U.S. A stretch of …
Texas Mutual Reports Nearly 6% Increase in Severe Injuries in 2023
Texas Mutual saw nearly 6% more severe injuries reported in 2023 compared to the previous year, according to an incident trends report released by the insurer. The construction industry reported the most serious incidents by industry in Texas in 2023. …