Monthly Archives: <span>August 2017</span>

Judges Routinely Allow Disavowed Forensic Evidence

Two hairs that looked like the victim’s; some dirt on a truck like that taken from the crime scene; a pattern on the bumper that resembled a design on the victim’s popular brand of jeans. The case against Steven Barnes …

Researchers Finds Room for Improvement in Global Flood Preparedness

A new study across Austria, England, and Romania finds room for improvement in both public and private schemes that could help encourage risk reduction behaviors and reduce losses in future disasters. “Currently neither insurance nor governments successfully encourage risk reduction. …

No Duty to Defend, Indemnify in Ohio Molestation Claim Unless ‘Scope of the Allegations’ Test Met

Jodee Edwards had a home and auto insurance policy issued by insurer Encompass that excluded coverage for loss “arising out of sexual molestation, corporal punishment, or physical or mental abuse.” Edwards was sued in January, 2016 for negligent supervision of …

Researchers Say Popular Robots Dangerously Easy to Hack

Some of the most popular industrial and consumer robots are dangerously easy to hack and could be turned into bugging devices or weapons, IOActive Inc. said. The Seattle-based cybersecurity firm found major security flaws in industrial models sold by Universal …

Business News: LexisNexis, NCCI, Verisk

LexisNexis Introduces New Multi-language Telematics Capability Atlanta-based Lexis Nexis Risk Solutions now includes multi-language capability in its telematics platform. This development can improve speed to market in each territory while providing the benefits of a consistent platform across different geographical …

Judges Approve New Jersey Coastal Dune Projects, Despite Protesting Residents

Republican Gov. Chris Christie’s administration’s plan for storm protection along the entire 127 miles (204 kilometers) of New Jersey’s coast was endorsed by two courts this week, but residents of some beach towns still aren’t happy. A state judge on …

Colorado DOT Begins Using Driverless Truck to Protect Road Crews

Colorado’s transportation agency began using a driverless truck on Friday that is designed to protect highway work crews from oncoming traffic. The truck is officially known as an Autonomous Impact Protection Vehicle, but it is not really autonomous like the …

Public Investment Pays Off in Pedestrian, Bicyclist Safety

A new study of pedestrian and bicycle travel suggests investment in infrastructure and policies to encourage walking and biking is correlated with lower rates of pedestrian and bicyclist deaths. The work by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the …

Nebraska Contractors Sue Insurers Over Unpaid Storm Damage

Two Omaha, Neb., contractors are expanding a legal strategy they say forces insurance companies to pay for storm damage, but industry officials say the practice leads to exaggerated claims and may drive away insurers. Home repair contractors Steve Shannon and …

Idaho City Agrees to Pay Medical Bills for Children’s Chemical Burns

The city of Lewiston, Idaho, has decided to pay medical bills for children from two families who suffered chemical burns at a park. The children were burned after city employees left a toxic paint stripper applied to graffiti near Pioneer …