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Personal Injury

Dog Bite Claims Awards Average $32,000

dog bites homeowners insuranceAccording to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) and State Farm, the nation’ largest writer of homeowners insurance the cost of the average claim from dog bites and other injuries is on the rise.  I.I.I.’s analysis of homeowners insurance data found that the number of dog bite claims nationwide decreased 4.7 % in 2014. However, the average cost per dog bite claim was up 15% to $32,072 in 2014, compared with $27,862 in 2013.

The average cost per claim nationally has risen more than 67% from 2003 to 2014, due to increased medical costs as well as the size of settlements, judgments and jury awards given to plaintiffs, which are still on the upswing.

With 1,867 claims California continues to lead the list of states with the largest number of claims, followed by Ohio with 1,009 claims and New York with 965 claims, although NY state is leading with the highest average cost per claim in the country of $56,628.

The trend in higher costs per claim is attributable not simply to dog bites but also to dogs knocking down children, cyclists and senior citizens —all of which I.I.I. says can result in fractures and other injuries that increase the severity of the losses. Experts say that even normally docile dogs may bite when they are frightened or when defending their puppies, owners or food. The most dangerous dogs are those that suffer from poor training, irresponsible owners and breeding practices that foster viciousness.

Read More »Dog Bite Claims Awards Average $32,000

Negative Review and Freedom of Speech

Are you buying a fair amount of goods or services online and sometimes wish to leave a negative review? Do you always read the ToS fine print? Have you heard of a so called “disparagement clause”?

If you own a business and are exposed to online reviews think twice before adding disparagement clause to your ToS contract, as such can be found as violating rights of free speech.

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Preparing your business for potential holiday hazards

prepare businessMenorahs and Christmas trees light up Main Streets across America during the holidays, but there are risks associated with these decorations. Risk management professionals and insurance agents can help business owners understand how to keep their stores festive yet hazard free during the holidays.

The holidays usually bring several things to a small business – more foot traffic, celebratory decorations and additional staff to help with boosted sales.  However, with added customers and distractions, slips and trips are never far away. So when getting into the holiday spirit, you should make safety a priority.Read More »Preparing your business for potential holiday hazards

Ladder safety best practices

Ladder SafetyLadder safety should start before even stepping foot on one. The improper use of a ladder, or using an object other than a ladder to reach an item, can result in serious injury due to over – reaching or falling. Statistics suggest that workers are more likely to abuse and misuse ladders rather than use them correctly in the workplace.

There are a number of factors that must be considered when working with ladders, and following key practices of ladder safety can help prevent a potential injury.Read More »Ladder safety best practices

Carbon monoxide poisoning

CO is a colorless, odorless gas produced by the incomplete burning of any carbon-containing material, including gasoline, natural gas, propane, coal or wood. CO is dangerous because it replaces oxygen in the blood and interferes with the transport of needed oxygen to cells in the body.

Carbon monoxide safety tips

CO Carbon monoxideWinter can be a beautiful time of the year. But it is also the season for blustery storms, power outages, a greater use of fuel-burning devices — and a rise in carbon monoxide poisonings.

The good news is that many of these incidents can be prevented — with the right preparation. Start with these eight tips to help keep your home and family safe from carbon monoxide.

1. Know the risks of carbon monoxide.

Anything that burns a fuel — such as a furnace, fireplace, generator, gas appliance or car — produces a toxic by-product: carbon monoxide (CO).

When these devices are properly maintained and vented, this colorless, odorless gas can be effectively dispersed and channeled out of your home. If not, inhaling carbon monoxide can trigger serious health issues.

At lower concentrations, victims may experience such symptoms as a headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. But at higher concentrations, CO can quickly cause a loss of consciousness, even death.Read More »Carbon monoxide poisoning

New is Well Forgotten Old

California Woman Sues McDonald’s Over Coffee Burns. She says she suffered second-degree burns when she spilled hot coffee on her lap at the drive-up window of a McDonald’s has filed suit against the fast-food chain. The Fresno Bee reported she seeks more than $2 million in damages. If a settlement isn’t reached, her lawyer said they plan to present their… Read More »New is Well Forgotten Old

How to Prepare Your Home Before Your Vacation

Vacation is a time to escape for a little rest and relaxation, but it’s also the time thieves increasingly break into empty homes. According to recent claims data from insurance company Travelers, theft increases during the summer months largely because more people are away. But it’s not only criminals you have to worry about while you are kicking back, you also have to be concerned about…
Read More »How to Prepare Your Home Before Your Vacation

Risk Control: Fire Safety Plan

Introduction

The development of a Fire Safety Plan (hereinafter referred to as the “Plan”) will help ensure the optimum use fire prevention and life safety features installed in a building. The complete plan will reflect all the resources available to the building occupants and identify the basic measures that will aid in an orderly and safe evacuation all occupants in an emergency. An effective Plan that enhances the life safety of staff and building occupants requires:
• a commitment by building management and staff to the safety of occupants;
• knowledge of the building and its fire safety protection equipment by supervisory staff;
• a clear understanding by supervisory staff of the fire safety procedures in the Plan and how to implement properly; and
• the cooperation and education of building occupants.

The following information discusses the preparation and implementation of a Fire Safety Plan.Read More »Risk Control: Fire Safety Plan

Personal Injury Insurance Coverage and Credit Cards

In general, oral or written publication, in any manner, of material that violates a person’s right of privacy would be considered as a personal injury. However, your credit card slip may show a few digits of the credit card you use for the transaction and such would NOT be considered as a personal injury, because the word “publication” would not… Read More »Personal Injury Insurance Coverage and Credit Cards