Monthly Archives: <span>January 2011</span>

Pennsylvania Fire Expert Admits Lying About Degree

A Pennsylvania fire investigator has admitted he lied on the stand about his education during an arson trial. Edmund Knight III pleaded guilty Thursday to a single count of false swearing and was sentenced to a year of probation. A …

Republicans May Starve Food Safety Overhaul of Funds

Republican opponents of food safety legislation are already promising a fight over its funding, even before it becomes law. President Barack Obama was scheduled to sign the bill on Tuesday. It allows the Food and Drug Administration to increase inspections …

Illinois Official Calls for Probe of Workers’ Comp Claims at Prison

The head of Illinois’ workers’ compensation commission is calling for an investigation of nearly $10 million paid out in claims to more than half the staff of a southwestern Illinois prison over the past three years. The Belleville News-Democrat reported …

2010 Was U.S. Coal Industry’s Deadliest Since 1992

The U.S. coal industry had its deadliest year in nearly two decades in 2010, with much of the death toll stemming from a single explosion. As of last week, 48 miners had died in the nation’s 1,500 coal mines over …

What Happened in Workers’ Compensation in 2010

Soft market conditions with unabated price competition and a slow economy with reduced payrolls continued to affect commercial liens including the the workers’ compensation industry in 2010, as they did in 2009. Robert Hartwig, president of the Insurance Information Institute, …

California Wholesaler Appointing Wholesalers, Surplus Lines Brokers, MGA’s to Write E&O Insurance

Effective January 5 2011 – Laurel Fowler Insurance Broker, Inc – California based wholesaler is appointing Wholesalers, Surplus lines Brokers and MGA’s in Texas, California, Florida and most States, to write E&O insurance. Policy Hightlight: Defense costs may be available …

Toyota Says Subrogation By 7 Insurers for Acceleration Claims Is Meritless

Seven automobile insurance firms have followed Allstate Insurance Co. in suing Toyota Motor Corp. to recover money they paid in claims for car crashes blamed on unintended acceleration of Toyota vehicles. The insurers’ court action has opened a new front …

Oklahoma Law Protecting Health Care Volunteers Now in Effect

A new state law protecting health care professionals who volunteer at school sporting events from being sued has gone into effect in Oklahoma and its author wants schools to take advantage of it. State Rep. Joe Dorman says House Bill …

Hudson Resigning as Ohio Insurance Director

Ohio Department of Insurance Director Mary Jo Hudson has announced her resignation effective Jan. 10, 2011. Her final work day will be Jan. 7. “I am proud of the many changes that we have implemented over the past four years …

South Carolina Awards 85 Mitigation Grants to Coastal Homeowners

Eighty-five South Carolina homeowners who live on the coast are the latest recipients of grants to help them strengthen their homes against storms. Scott H. Richardson, state insurance commissioner, said the SC Safe Home awards went to homeowners living in …