Litigation

Ohio's insurance fund for injured workers is deciding whether to appeal a ruling that would allow thousands of businesses to sue over a state rate-setting plan.

As agencies focus on survival, they often overlook critical aspects of their own businesses, potentially placing themselves in a vulnerable spot. Agencies need to evaluate their own professional liability insurance coverage to be sure they are properly protected, according to Burns & Wilcox’s Rochelle Elliott.

“Status-blind harassment” is becoming more of a concern to employers and their employment practices liability insurers, but while the consequences of workplace bullying are clear, appropriate steps to recognize and rein in the problem aren’t always obvious.

A jury in New York found that Toyota is not responsible for a 2005 crash in the first trial related to the car manufacturer’s recall of eight million vehicles due to unintended acceleration.

The term “bad faith” is one of the most disparaging terms risk managers can level against their insurers. Bad-faith allegations are made after a claim has been poorly handled in the eyes of the risk manager, with a lawsuit often following.

Even when insurance policies clearly instruct otherwise, insureds often contact their agents instead of the carrier to report a claim. Attorney Matthew Marrone provides tips on how agents should respond to this tricky and delicate situation—to avoid their own E&O situations down the road.