Monthly Archives: <span>February 2005</span>

Report Cites Design and Structural Faults as Cause of Paris Airport Collapse

Both structural and design faults caused a large section of the newly constructed Terminal 2E at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport to collapse last May, killing 4 people and injuring 3. An investigative commission under the direction of Jean Berthier, …

Madrid’s Towering Inferno a Total Loss

The biggest fire in Madrid’s long history ravaged the 32-story Windsor Building in the heart of the Spanish capital on Sunday night and on into Monday morning. News reports on European TV stations showed an immense blaze, reminiscent of the …

Texas Jury Orders Company to Pay $96 Million Following Airplane Mishaps

A jury in Grimes County, Texas has reportedly found Textron Lycoming liable for fraud, and ordered the company to pay approximately $96 million to Navasota, Texas-based Interstate Southwest Ltd. The verdict came Tuesday following seven weeks of trial in State …

A.M. Best Downgrades Rating for Ohio Indemnity Co.

A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating to B++ (Very Good) from A (Excellent) of Ohio Indemnity Company (OIC) (Columbus). Additionally, A.M. Best has placed Ohio Indemnity Company under review with negative implications. This rating action follows an …

Colo. Medical Services Company Settles Liability Case

In Denver, Acting United States Attorney Bill Leone announced that the United States has agreed to settle several claims that Sander J. H. Orent, M.D., Medically Based Fitness, and Arbor Medical Services improperly billed the Medicare program. Under the terms …

President Declares Major Disaster for Ohio Storms

The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that President Bush has ordered the release of federal disaster funds to help people and communities in Ohio recover from the effects of a recent …

Safelite Pulls in More than $125,000 for United Way

The Columbus corporate offices of Safelite Group, a provider of auto glass and claims management services, raised more than $125,000 for the United Way of Central Ohio during its 2004 annual campaign. “As an organization, we firmly believe in the …

CAAA: Workers’ Comp Carriers’ Profits up 25%-36%

Fourth quarter and 2004 annual earnings statements from leading California workers’ compensation insurance carriers are coming in, and profits are reportedly up by 25% to 36% over 2003 – and 2003 was already the most profitable year on record. Zenith …

Best Affirms Rating for China International Reinsurance

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and assigned an issuer credit rating of “a-” to China International Reinsurance Company Limited (CIRe) (Hong Kong). The outlook is positive. The rating reflects CIRe’s consistently strong operating …

Safeco Study Shows Hot Water Tanks, Washing Machines Most Likely to Drench House and Wallet

Of all the appliances found in the home, the water heater and washing machine are reportedly the most likely to cause serious damage and leave homeowners financially high and dry. According to a nationwide analysis by Safeco Insurance, one out …