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

Better Flood Forecast System Coming to Central Texas in 2016

Come May 2016, turbocharged forecasts capable of faster updates as conditions change will be used to predict flooding on Central Texas rivers, an innovation expected to give emergency managers more lead time to prepare for problems downstream. “What if you …

VW to Offer Employees Amnesty for Emissions Cheating Information

Volkswagen is telling employees that they can come forward with information about how the company cheated on U.S. emissions tests – and won’t be fired. In a move to get to the bottom of the scandal more quickly, Volkswagen brand …

Illinois Families’ Flood Buyouts on Hold Due to Budget Mess

After the Mississippi River flooded four years ago, more than 100 Illinois families agreed – some reluctantly – to sell their homes to the government for demolition so they could move to higher ground. With the paperwork finally coming together …

Carbon Dioxide Levels Hit Record High in 2014

Levels of carbon dioxide and methane, the two most important greenhouse gases, reached record highs last year, continuing the warming effect on the world’s climate, the U.N. weather agency said Monday. CO2 levels rose to nearly 398 parts per million, …

IAIABC Foundations Program Educating Next Generation of Workers’ Comp Leaders

The International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions (IAIABC) has concluded the first year of its Foundations of Workers’ Compensation Administration Program, and is gearing up to begin the 2016 Program. The IAIABC Foundations Program provides participants from jurisdictional …

Washington Jury Finds Auditors Liable for $10M in Madoff Losses

A jury in King County Superior Court has found the firm of Ernst & Young negligent and liable for half of more than $20 million lost by a Washington state investment company in the wake of Bernie Madoff’s multi-decade investment …

Businesses Need to be Better Prepared for Cyberattacks

Results of a study on corporate confidence in responding to a data breach are in and of the 604 executives who responded, just 34 percent feel their company’s data breach response plans are effective. Though data breaches ranked second only …

California Woman Injured by Tree Branch on Open-Air Bus Awarded $3.5M

A jury awarded $3.5 million Friday to a woman who says she was permanently disfigured when a tree branch hit her in the face as she rode on the top deck of a popular open-air Hollywood, Calif., tour bus. Jurors …

Texas Spring Storms Caused More Than $1.5B in Losses

An insurance group says spring storms across Texas caused more than $1.5 billion in property losses. April through June typically marks the stormy season for the state, but in March of this year multiple severe thunderstorms rolled in across the …

Acrometis, Willis Partner to Reduce Workers’ Comp Claim Duration and Costs

Acrometis, the industry leader in workers’ compensation claims processing platforms, and Willis, a global risk advisory, re/insurance broking, and human capital and benefits firm, have partnered to launch Willis’ Advanced Technology Strategic Risk Planning (SRP) process. More advanced and comprehensive …