INSURANCE NEWS
Miami Jury Orders Bar That Served Drunken Driver to Pay $96M in Damages
A Miami-Dade jury has returned one of the largest verdicts ever in an automobile accident, awarding $95 million in damages plus attorneys’ fees to a South Florida family whose daughter was killed and whose son was catastrophically injured by a …
Southeast Business Moves: Risk Strategies, Acrisure, Alabama Agencies
Risk Strategies Expands on Florida’s East Coast Risk Strategies, a national specialty insurance brokerage and risk management firm based in Boston, has acquired Sebastian Insurance Group of Florida. Sebastian, headquartered in Sebastian, Florida, on the state’s eastern coast, offers policies …
Louisiana Extends Ida Mediation Program Through End of 2022
Louisiana’s Hurricane Ida Mediation Program is being extended through December 31, 2022, Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announced. The voluntary Hurricane Ida Mediation Program, which is open to authorized property and casualty insurers and surplus lines insurers, was created to …
Kansas Hobby Lobby Store Sued For Disability Discrimination
Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., a national arts-and-crafts retailer, violated federal law when it refused to reasonably accommodate a cashier at its Olathe, Kansas store by allowing her to use a service dog and then fired her because of her disabilities, …
Texas Division of Workers’ Comp Seeks Input on MQRP rule changes
The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) said it is accepting public comments on a proposed rule amending 28 Texas Administrative Code §180.62, concerning the Medical Quality Review Panel (MQRP). The Legislature enacted Texas Labor Code §413.05122 …
Nebraska Medical Marijuana In Danger of Not Qualifying for Ballot
A campaign to legalize marijuana for medicinal use in Nebraska is in danger of missing its signature goal to qualify for the November general election ballot, organizers said. Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana still needs to gather thousands of signatures ahead …
Maine Mining Superfund Site to Receive $21M
A Maine superfund mining site is receiving $21 million in Environmental Protection Agency funding to expedite contamination cleanup efforts. The Callahan Mine superfund site in Brooksville originally received $9 million from the bipartisan federal infrastructure bill passed in November last …
WV Comp Laws This Month Require New Notices, Info on Claims Decisions
West Virginia’s insurance commissioner is reminding workers’ compensation stakeholders about statutory changes that took effect this month on claims and adjudication of claims. “As a result of these changes, it is critical that all stakeholders comply with this regulatory guidance,” …
‘Cautious Optimism’ for Cyber Buyers as More Focus on Risk Controls: Marsh
While the market for cyber insurance is expected to remain challenging “for the foreseeable future,” there is optimism for rate stabilization as organization focus on cyber hygiene, according to broker Marsh. In a recent briefing, the broker said “steep rate …
Foster & Foster Acquires Bartel Associates in California
Foster & Foster Consulting Actuaries Inc. has completed its acquisition of California-based Bartel Associates LLC. Bartel’s core business is focused in performing Other Postemployment Benefits consulting. Bartel also provides pension consulting services to public entities, which are part of CalPERS, …
Evacuations for Communities Near California Forest Fire
Evacuation orders were expanded Tuesday for remote California communities near a wildfire that may have been sparked by fireworks or a barbecue on the Fourth of July in a mountainous region that’s a top tourism destination. The Electra Fire in …
Facebook Asks Court for Old FTC Merger Documents in Antitrust Fight
Meta’s Facebook has asked a U.S. court for eight documents created by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission as part of their review of the company’s purchases of Instagram and WhatsApp, which the agency allowed to go forward. The request was …