Monthly Archives: <span>April 2013</span>

House to Consider Salt Dome Legislation Prompted by Louisiana Sinkhole

Two measures aimed at regulating the operations of salt domes, prompted by a 13-acre sinkhole in Assumption Parish, made it out of a House committee and could be debated on the House floor next week. The bills (House Bills 493 …

Rain Eases Drought for Some Farmers, But Not All

Rain that moved across the Midwest in the past week helped ease drought conditions for some farmers, but not everyone, according to the latest drought monitor report released Thursday. The report from the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University …

Family of Slain Chicago Cop Sues Mississippi Gun Shop

The parents of an off-duty Chicago police officer who was shot to death three years ago shortly after returning from Iraq announced a federal lawsuit Wednesday against a Mississippi gun shop, saying it was the origin of the weapon a …

P/C Insurer Profits Rose in 2012, Despite Sandy Losses and Investment Gains Drop

Despite the impact of Superstorm Sandy and smaller investment gains, private U.S. property/casualty insurers’ net income after taxes grew to $33.5 billion in 2012 from $19.5 billion in 2011, with insurers’ overall profitability as measured by their rate of return …

Former Louisiana State Fire Marshal Investigator Arrested

A retired state Fire Marshal’s Office investigator surrendered to authorities on accusations he falsified paperwork of an attempted inspection of a dilapidated apartment complex in Grand Isle that later caught fire with two residents trapped inside. The Advocate reports Nunzio …

Should Insurers Consider Apologies in Claims Handling?

Despite the prevalence of apologies in our society –think Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods, Mel Gibson and Bill Clinton – the idea of offering an apology as a result of a claim is rarely considered in the insurance industry, according to …

Artist Richard Prince Didn’t Infringe Photo Copyrights

In a closely watched case in the art world, American artist Richard Prince won a federal appeals court order Thursday holding that he did not infringe the copyrights of a photographer by incorporating his images into 25 paintings and collages. …

Storms Flood Streets, Damage Houses Across Southeast Louisiana

A fast-moving line of intense thunderstorms flooded streets, knocked out power to more than 30,000 people in southeast Louisiana and spawned two tornadoes that damaged homes and businesses in Jefferson Parish. No injuries were reported. Kenner officials say the storm …

$3.45M Award in Death of Seattle Ship Worker

Federal jurors in Seattle, Wash., have awarded $3.45 million to the estate and survivors of a woman who drowned in 2010 while working on a ship conversion. The Seattle Times reports the jurors found the ship’s owner, G Shipping Ltd., …

It’s Business, Just Not as Usual, After Hattiesburg Tornado

In keeping with the traditional Mississippi never-say-die attitude, many Hattiesburg-area business owners affected by the Feb. 10 tornado are getting back on their feet – and back in business. Employees at Carlstedt’s Florist had to work out of refrigerated trucks …