Monthly Archives: <span>June 2015</span>

Luck Running Out for Those Living in Hurricane Zones

For millions of Americans living in hurricane zones on the Gulf and East coasts, recent decades have been quiet – maybe too quiet. Cities like Tampa, Houston, Jacksonville and Daytona Beach historically get hit with major hurricanes every 20 to …

Florida Insurance Industry in Good Shape for Upcoming Hurricane Season

The 2015 Atlantic hurricane season opens on Monday, and a combination of a forecast for fewer-than-average storms and the highest level ever of financial resources on hand in Florida to pay claims may help homeowners and businesses there weather fears …

Takata to Stop Using Volatile Chemical in Airbags

Takata Corp has told U.S. safety regulators it will no longer use a volatile chemical in its airbag inflators. The Japanese supplier is at the center of a global recall of tens of millions of cars for potentially deadly airbag …

Judge Stays GM Ignition-Switch Lawsuits

A U.S. bankruptcy judge on Wednesday put on hold dozens of lawsuits accusing General Motors Co of concealing an ignition-switch defect while the plaintiffs in those cases appeal an earlier ruling that found their cases were barred. GM had argued …

Defaming a Former Law Partner May Not Be Covered

In Peerless Indem. Ins. Co. v. Moshe & Stimson, LLP, 22 N.E.3d 882 (Ind. App. 2014), the Indiana Court of Appeals held that a defamation claim brought against a former law partner was an “employment related” activity, and thus fell …

Farmers Claims Data Reveals 70% of Hail Claims Occur April Through June

According to data from the Farmers Insurance Seasonal Smarts Digest, extreme spring weather brings a significant increase in damage to cars and homes across the country between April and June. The new report, which examined Farmers claims data from 2013 …

Power Outages May Become Worse Absent Upgrades

National and state electricity regulations that industries, businesses, and consumers depend on to prevent power outages are deficient in a number of significant ways that could result in worse future outages unless the rules are strengthened, especially as hurricanes and …

Despite Controls, Floods in Houston no Surprise

The flooding, property damage and loss of life as torrential rains last week hit the Houston area should be no surprise. “It happens fairly frequently,” said Sam Brody, director of Texas A&M University’s Center for Beaches and Shores. “Houston is …

Recent Deaths Highlight Hidden Danger From Municipal Storm Drains

The drowning of an Oklahoma firefighter and a Texas teenager in storms that swept through those states highlight the persistent dangers posed by storm drains that help protect neighborhoods during flash flooding but can suck in unsuspecting residents and rescue …