D&O experts eye Supreme Court pleading standards case
The U.S. Supreme Court’s looming decision on pleading standards in a securities class action may have a significant impact on future lawsuits as well as directors and officers liability insurance, experts say.
Swedlow to retire from California Workers’ Compensation Institute
Alex Swedlow on Monday said he will step down as president of the California Workers’ Compensation Institute effective August 2025.
Appeals court upholds dismissal of Amber Heard’s counterclaims against insurer
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday agreed that a federal judge in Los Angeles correctly dismissed actress Amber Heard’s counterclaims for breach of contract and bad faith against an insurance company that partially paid for her defense of a defamation lawsuit filed by her ex-husband, actor Johnny Depp.
Hub hires former WTW executive Patrick Walsh
Hub International Ltd. has hired Patrick Walsh as an executive vice president in its large corporate market segment.
OSHA, Mississippi pipe maker reach settlement in fatality
The U.S. Department of Labor has entered into a settlement agreement with a Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, steel pipe manufacturer with a history of safety failures to pay $442,815 in penalties and correct conditions that led to a 25-year-old employee’s fatal injuries in January 2024.
Hospital system acts to improve safety after OSHA probe into stabbing
A Maple Heights, Ohio, outpatient mental health treatment facility has agreed to numerous steps to improve workplace safety, including employing a weapons screening process, enhancing security and implementing staff training, after a patient attacked a nurse practitioner with a knife in April 2024, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced Thursday.
Buffett refines plans for his fortune, donates more Berkshire shares
Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., has made further preparations for giving away his fortune after his death.
Alliant introduces government contractors segment, names execs
Alliant Insurance Services Inc. Monday said it has launched a government contractors focused segment within Alliant Specialty led by former Marsh LLC executives Bryan Salek and Angela Kirby.
New York fines Geico $9.8 million over data breach
The New York Attorney General’s office fined car insurance company Geico $9.75 million on Monday for hacks that obtained personal information on 116,000 drivers in the state.
City vote could change insurance claim for Tampa Bay Rays’ stadium
The St. Petersburg City Council last week rejected a proposal to spend $23.7 million to repair the hurricane-damaged roof of the stadium that is home to Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays, despite testimony from the city’s risk manager that doing so could result in a different insurance payout.
Judge dismisses BASF’s South Carolina AFFF coverage dispute with insurers
A federal judge in Charleston, South Carolina, on Friday tossed one of BASF Corp.’s lawsuits against its insurers over coverage for aqueous film-forming foam lawsuits, saying the claims are duplicative of an action initially filed by insurers in New York state court.
Nissan persuades US court to decertify brake defect class actions
Nissan persuaded a federal appeals court on Friday to decertify 10 class actions accusing the Japanese automaker of selling cars and SUVs with defective automatic emergency braking systems that caused vehicles to stop suddenly for no reason.
Texas comp division asks lawmakers to allow remote contested hearings
The Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation recommended that state lawmakers amend the law to allow contested case hearings by video conference if all parties agree.
Florida’s Canadian drug import plan remains stalled despite approval
Florida’s plan to import lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada, approved by the Biden administration nearly a year ago, remains stalled with no start date in sight, KFF Health News reports. Governor Ron DeSantis has criticized the FDA for delays, even filing a lawsuit over the issue. The program aims to reduce costs for state agencies […]
Walmart health division head Brian Setzer departs
Brian Setzer, head of Walmart’s $55 billion health and wellness division, is leaving after less than two years on the job, Reuters reports. Setzer’s departure follows Walmart’s decision to close its U.S. health clinics and virtual health care operations due to profitability issues. Kyle Kinnard will replace Setzer, as Walmart shifts focus to expanding its […]
Microsoft, Adobe offer menopause benefits to employees
An increasing number of companies, including Microsoft and Adobe, are offering menopause-related benefits to support employees experiencing symptoms like hot flashes and depression, The Washington Post reports. These benefits, which include paid time off and flexible work arrangements, aim to retain experienced staff in leadership roles.
Kentucky launches online directory for medical cannabis practitioners
Kentucky is launching an online directory on December 1 to connect patients with authorized medical cannabis practitioners as it prepares for its medical cannabis program starting Jan. 1, 2025, the Associated Press reports. Currently, 154 medical professionals are authorized, with more expected to join. The initiative, led by Governor Andy Beshear, aims to expedite the […]
Employer group urges Colorado to drop mental health parity plan
The ERISA Industry Group has urged Colorado to abandon plans to implement state regulations mirroring new federal behavioral health parity rules, citing potential compliance conflicts and increased costs, BenefitsPro reports. The federal regulations, part of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, require health plans to offer comparable treatment limits for behavioral and other […]
Study: Auto-enrollment fails to boost long-term retirement savings
A National Bureau of Economic Research paper reveals that automatic enrollment and escalation in retirement plans may not significantly boost long-term wealth due to high employee turnover and 401(k) leakage, Plansponsor reports. Harvard economist David Laibson highlights that many employees revert to lower contribution rates when changing jobs, and a significant portion cash out their […]
Misr Insurance’s net profit grows by 170%
Egypt-based Misr Insurance Holding Co.’s net profit increased by 170% year-on-year to 17.69 billion Egyptian pounds ($356.2 million) for the financial year ended June 30, driven largely by investment income gains, Middle East Insurance Review reported. The insurer’s total written premiums grew by 31% year-on-year to EGP31.19 billion.