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

Oil Industry Warns of Economic Costs if Moratorium on Wastewater Wells is Issued

Representatives of the oil and natural gas industry are warning of the potential economic costs in Oklahoma if a moratorium is issued on wastewater disposal wells that some suspect may be triggering earthquakes in the state. Last year, Oklahoma recorded …

FCC Outlines New TCPA Rules

On July 10, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a Declaratory Ruling revising the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) that became effective immediately. The ruling included the definition of automated dialer and a one call “safe harbor” rule for reassigned …

A Homeowner Policy’s Vacancy Exclusion Includes Arson in Florida

Homeowner policies contain a vacancy exclusion. Under the terms of the standard vacancy exclusion, damage caused by “vandalism and malicious mischief” are excluded from coverage. However, is arson encompassed within the phrase “vandalism and malicious mischief?” That issue was recently …

Jeep Hacking Incident Leads to Fiat Chrysler Recall of 1.4M Vehicles

Fiat Chrysler has decided to recall about 1.4 million cars and trucks in the U.S. just days after two hackers detailed how they were able to take control of a Jeep Cherokee SUV over the Internet. The company will update …

Mining Deaths Down in 2015

Federal mine safety officials say mining deaths are down in the U.S., with 18 miners losing their lives in accidents during the first six months of the year. The Mine Safety and Health Administration reported Wednesday that number represents a …

Idaho DOT Fined After Demolishing Building That Contained Asbestos

The Idaho Transportation Department has agreed to pay a $52,000 fine after demolishing an asbestos-containing building in northern Idaho and potentially exposing the public to the cancer-causing fibers. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the agreement Thursday involving the November …

No Second Chances for First Offender Drunk Drivers in Connecticut

On March 9, 2012 Benjamin DeMond, a Norwich firefighter, died at 33 from an accident caused by a drunken driver. Authorities said 50-year-old Willis Goodale of Groton was trying to cut across Interstate 395 in Montville to use an emergency …

Hydrogen Gas Blamed for Mystery Rhode Island Beach Blast

A mysterious blast on a Rhode Island beach likely was caused by the combustion of hydrogen gas that had built up because of a corroded copper cable under the sand, investigators announced Friday. Officials have spent nearly two weeks trying …

Facts and Figures: GM’s Recall-Related Suits, Costs and Probes

General Motors Co. is looking past last year’s safety recalls of 36 million vehicles worldwide as recall costs continue to shrink. Here is a by-the-numbers look at the recall issues, including new information filed Thursday in GM’s second-quarter earnings release …

Boston Organizers Release Olympics Insurance Plan Details

Leaders of Boston’s bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics released details Thursday about insurance proposals they say will provide unprecedented coverage for Massachusetts taxpayers. The Boston 2024 bid committee released a document that described at least eight types of insurance …