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E&O Coverage for Small Law Firms

When it comes to the legal profession, there are two known facts: claims against lawyers tend to increase in an economic downturn; and small firms (with fewer than five attorneys) are extremely vulnerable to legal malpractice and damaging lawsuits. To address these issues, we offer a professional liability insurance program specifically tailored to the needs of small law firms. Rates are competitive because the underwriting guidelines exclude writing large firms that tend to have higher risk and greater claims severity. According to the American Bar Association, over 70% of professional liability claims are driven by firms of less than five… Read More »E&O Coverage for Small Law Firms

Workplace Injuries in 2009 Declined.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Thursday that nonfatal workplace injuries declined to 3.3 million in 2009, down from 3.7 million in 2008. The rate of such injuries fell to 3.6 cases per 100 equivalent full-time workers, a decrease from 3.9 per 100 in 2008. In a statement announcing the decrease, the Labor Department did not cite a reason for the lower numbers. But Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis said in the statement that she is concerned about certain employers that discourage workers from reporting injuries. “Complete and accurate workplace injury records can serve as… Read More »Workplace Injuries in 2009 Declined.

Maine Court: You’ve got to be kidding me…

Maine’s supreme court says a workers’ compensation beneficiary isn’t eligible for additional benefits for a car crash that happened with on a way to a mediation meeting. Kurt F., an employee, was injured on the job in 1987, 1997 and again 2007, and he was traveling to a mediation hearing on those injuries when he was involved in a car crash. In a 4-2 ruling, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court found that the employer cannot be made responsible for the injuries en route to the hearing in Lewiston. Justice Ellen G. wrote that injuries occurring during travel to mediation or… Read More »Maine Court: You’ve got to be kidding me…

You’ve Been Served, Brazoria County, TX

The Texas Supreme Court has determined that a lawsuit filed against a “governmental unit” within six months of an incident can be regarded as sufficient notice under the Texas Tort Claims Act. The high court’s ruling reverses the dismissal by the Court of Appeals for the 14th District of Texas of a suit against a Texas county. The case was remanded back to the trial court. In Glenn Colquitt v. Brazoria County, NO. 09-0369, the Texas Supreme Court found that because all of the pertinent details that are required in notice to a governmental unit in Texas when filing a claim… Read More »You’ve Been Served, Brazoria County, TX

Poor Service Leads to Fraudulent Insurance Claims: Survey

More than half of U.S. consumers say poor service from an insurance company is more likely to cause an individual to commit fraud against that company, according to a survey by Accenture. The survey also reveals a significant increase in claims filed, with nearly half of U.S. adults saying they had filed property/casualty insurance claims at some time, up from less than one-third in a similar survey conducted in 2003. The proportion of individuals who have filed an insurance claim increases with age and income the survey shows. For example, among people over 55, more than 60% have filed a… Read More »Poor Service Leads to Fraudulent Insurance Claims: Survey

Workers’ Comp Fraud and You: Don’t Get Cheated

Fraud can take several forms in workers’ comp, but the bottom line is the same: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>Someone is trying to cheat the system to gain an unfair advantage. • Employees may commit claimant fraud by attempting to obtain workers’ compensation benefits to which they’re not entitled. • Employers may commit premium fraud by intentionally misrepresenting their payroll, the nature of their work, or their number of employees. • Medical practitioners and other service providers may commit provider fraud through falsified or unwarranted billing practices. As an employer, you can make a difference in  preventing fraud: 1. Educate your employees about workers’… Read More »Workers’ Comp Fraud and You: Don’t Get Cheated

Employer’s Basic Workers’ Comp Responsibilities

It’s time for a quick policy checkup. By law you must follow certain procedures for (1) notifying your employees about workers’ compensation and (2) responding to workplace injuries. Check the lists below to make sure you’re in compliance. If you need any of the forms listed here or any other help, contact your company’s Customer Service Center*. ____________________________ *Applicable for California Employers only. Check with your insurance company for law that applies to your State. Required Employee Notices These notices tell employees about their workers’ compensation rights and how to get medical treatment for workplace injuries. • Post the Notice… Read More »Employer’s Basic Workers’ Comp Responsibilities

Understanding the Cost of Your Workers Compensation Policy

Workers’ compensation premium is calculated differently from other types of insurance. Your cost depends on the type of business you operate, your payroll size, and other factors. You make premium payments throughout the policy term, but your exact final premium is configured after the policy term ends. Let’s look at the components that go into determining your premium. Classification system. The California workers’ comp system groups occupations and industries into about 500 distinct classifications. Insurance providers charge a rate for each classification based on the projected claims costs for that industry.  The higher the expected claims are for classification, the… Read More »Understanding the Cost of Your Workers Compensation Policy

What to Expect When an Employee Is Injured

As soon as you are aware of a possible work-related injury or illness, you should take action to provide medical treatment and report a claim. When you file a claim with your workers’ comp insurance company, you are notifying the insurer of an injury or illness that may be covered by your policy. By law, you must file a claim for every occupational injury or illness, with one exception: When the incident does not cause the employee to miss work for a full day or shift beyond the date of injury or illness, and also does not require treatment beyond… Read More »What to Expect When an Employee Is Injured

Pregnancy Discrimination

As reported by WorkForce.com (full article: http://www.workforce.com/section/00/article/27/30/48.php_ A pregnant welder who was transferred from her job can pursue pregnancy discrimination and Americans   with Disabilities Act claims, a divided (2-1) federal appeals court has ruled in largely overturning a lower   court decision. However, a panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati upheld the lower court’s ruling in   Heather Spees v. James Marine Inc. and JamesBuilt L.L.C. that dismissed Spees’ claim that her subsequent   termination also constituted pregnancy discrimination. According to the ruling, Spees was hired in 2007 to work as a welder at… Read More »Pregnancy Discrimination