Monthly Archives: <span>October 2020</span>

Growing Use of ‘Unlicensed Surrogates’ Worries Policyholder Attorney

Can insurers resolve claims more efficiently by dispatching specialist vendors instead of claims adjusters to determine the cause of loss and the replacement value? Some experts say so. But policyholder attorney Chip Merlin of Tampa, Fla. posits in an Oct. …

CEO of Top Battery Maker LG Chem Discloses JV Talks, Defends Split-Off

SEOUL — LG Chem, the world’s top electric vehicle (EV) battery maker, is in talks with a “couple” of automakers to create joint ventures to produce automotive batteries, Chief Executive Officer Hak Cheol Shin told Reuters on Friday. LG Chem …

Former Roommate of Accused Capital One Hacker Sentenced

SEATTLE — The former roommate of a woman accused of hacking Capital One banking company and at least 30 other organizations has been sentenced to four years in prison for illegally possessing firearms, according to federal prosecutors. Park Quan, 67, …

Wildfire Smoke in US Exposes Millions to Hazardous Pollution

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — Wildfires churning out dense plumes of smoke as they scorch huge swaths of the U.S. West Coast have exposed millions of people to hazardous pollution levels, causing emergency room visits to spike and potentially thousands of …

Time’s Up Study: Many Who Report Harassment Face Retaliation

Three years into the (hash)MeToo movement, there may be more awareness around workplace sexual harassment. But a new report finds that almost three-quarters of people reporting such harassment suffer from retaliation if they complain. More than 7 out of 10 …

Man Charged With Setting Wildfires in California Forest

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A Northern California man has been charged with serial arson in connection with four wildfires in 5, authorities announced Wednesday. Eric Michael Smith, 38, of Redding, is accused of setting the fires in June and July in …

California Heat Wave Prompts Power Shutdowns, Fire Danger

SAN FRANCISCO — More than 50,000 California utility customers were without power and others around the state were urged to conserve electricity Thursday amid a fall heat wave that brought another round of extreme wildfire danger. The National Weather Service …

NCCI Says 2% of COVID-19 Work Comp Claims May Result in Permanent Disability

If COVID-19 behaves like other workers’ compensation lung and disease claims, about two out of 100 cases may result in some degree of permanent partial disability and one out of 2,000 may result in permanent total disability, according to a …

Driverless Race Steps Up With Cruise Allowed to Drive Empty in San Francisco

OAKLAND, Calif. — The race for driverless autonomous vehicles is heating up and on Thursday Cruise became the first to receive a permit to test cars without anyone in them on the streets of San Francisco from California’s Department of …

Amazon Workers Say Prime Day Rush Breaks Virus Safety Vows

Amazon.com Inc. has recklessly reinstated dangerous warehouse productivity quotas despite telling a judge that it was suspending them during the pandemic, workers said in a court filing. “Amazon has not been honest and forthcoming,” employees at a warehouse in Staten …