Litigation

Federal agencies are advising homeowners that "problem drywall," which has sparked thousands of claims, should be replaced along with other components the drywall may have corroded.

The U.S. Supreme Court, in ruling on what qualifies as a class action, has reinstated a suit that accuses Allstate of routinely refusing to pay interest when it is late with a benefit payment.

Across all industries, the total number of federal class action lawsuits filed dropped by 21 percent last year, with financial services firms continuing as the favorite target, a consulting firm reported.

Insurers have been slow to respond with coverage for wage-and-hour lawsuits that have been an escalating threat to companies of all sizes over the past decade, Advisen Ltd. said in a new study.

Five insurance trade groups have filed a petition asking California officials to review whether the state insurance commissioner created "illegal underground regulations" concerning Iranian investments.

Professional firms, such as law firms and accounting firms, require special attention when placing their executive perils coverages, including employment practices liability and directors and officers liability insurance.

Workplace discrimination claims are at an all-time high, and small-business owners feel vulnerable.

In fiscal year 2009, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission received over 90,000 new private sector charges of discrimination for the second straight year, the agency reported.