Wildfire Danger Returns to South Dakota
A wet spring that doused the Black Hills fire danger early in summer produced a good stand of grass that is drying out, raising the risk in the second half of the fire season. There have been dozens of small …
South Dakota Wildfire Response Improved Since 2000
It has been eight years since the largest recorded wildfire in the Black Hills, and a state fire official says response to forest fires has improved tremendously in that period. Despite a lengthy and severe drought that recently ended, no …
Recall Roundup
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firms named below, announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. 1. Bonne Bell Recalls Children’s Cosmetics Accessory Bags …
Strange Claims Indeed 8
During a late-autumn storm while Chris Fletcher, account manager, HRH of Connecticut, attended is freshman year at college; a small tree fell in his yard back home. Unfortunately, the tree fell directly upon his 14′ single-handed racing sailboat, stowed away …
Arizona Insurers Seek 7.9% Workers’ Comp Rate Increase
Arizona workers compensation carriers have filed for a 7.9 percent rate increase to take effect Oct. 1, 2008, according to the National Council on Compensation Insurance. By industry group, the rate increase would include a 6.2 percent increase for manufacturing; …
Goodbye Gustav…Hello Hanna, Ike and Josephine
The good news is that Hurricane Gustav has been downgraded to a Tropical Depression as it moves slowly across northwest Louisiana. The bad news is that Tropical Storms Hanna, Ike and Josephine are gaining speed, according to the National Hurricane …
Injured Indiana Steelworker Sues Company for $55 Million
One of seven men burned when they were engulfed by a fireball at a steel mill a year ago has filed a $55 million lawsuit against ArcelorMittal. The lawsuit filed by 31-year-old Jeremy Schoon of Valparaiso was announced at a …
State Farm, Allstate Mobilize Catastrophe Teams to Gulf Coast
Two of the largest insurance companies in the U.S. have mobilized their catastrophe teams to aid policyholders in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav. State Farm, the largest insurer of homes and autos in the Gulf Coast, initiated Catastrophe Services operations …
Gustav Impact Limited But Losses from Moderate Catastrophes Add Up
Gustav may not wallop the property/casualty insurance industry the way Katrina did but there is still concern in insurance and reinsurance circles over the continued pile-up of catastrophe losses. Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services notes that early reports indicate that …
Rhode Island Diocese Pays $1.3M to Settle Abuse Claims
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence will pay $1.3 million to four people who claimed they were abused by priests, lawyers said Friday. The settlements were reached in June and will go to the victims or their estates, said attorney …