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Most Read Mid-Market Executive News

Workers compensation market 'conflicted' despite economy's rebound: NCCI

Published May 10, 2012 CST

While workers compensation insurer premium growth shows “that the worst of the recession has passed,” the insurance market for injured-employee coverage “remains in a worrisome state,” NCCI Holdings Inc. reported Thursday.

N.J. governor vetoes state health insurance exchange legislation

Published May 11, 2012 CST

TRENTON, N.J.—New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Thursday vetoed legislation, that would create a state health insurance exchange where insurers could provide coverage to individuals and small employers.

More employers offering wellness initiatives: Study

Published May 11, 2012 CST

While more companies are turning to wellness programs to curb employee medical costs and improve their workers' general health, relatively few are measuring the actual return on investment those programs generate, according to a study by the Brookfield, Wis.-based International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans.

Average PPO cost per family hits all-time high: Milliman

Published May 15, 2012 CST

While cost increases for families enrolled in employer-sponsored preferred provider organizations have slowed since 2010, average total costs per family still hit an all-time high, according to a report released Tuesday by Seattle-based Milliman Inc.

Beazley offers data breach protection to small firms

Published May 11, 2012 CST

FARMINGTON, Conn.—Beazley P.L.C. has announced the launch of a data breach protection service for smaller firms.

Unifirst could be fined $186,000 for 'willful,' 'serious' safety violations at plant

Published May 11, 2012 CST

WEST CALDWELL, N.J.—A Massachusetts-based uniform and laundry services company could be forced to pay $186,000 for a number of “serious” and “willful” safety and health violations at one of its facilities, according to federal workplace safety officials.

Commercial property/casualty market has turned: Council president

Published May 08, 2012 CST

Pricing for commercial property/casualty insurance accounts increased an average of 4.4% during the first quarter this year compared with the same period last year, according to a survey released Tuesday by the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers.

ACE USA launches enhanced pollution liability product for public entities

Published May 11, 2012 CST

PHILADELPHIA—ACE USA has introduced an enhanced pollution liability insurance product covering environmental risks for public and educational entities, the division of ACE Group Holdings Inc. announced Wednesday.

EEOC to publish discrimination charge statistics online

Published May 14, 2012 CST

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Equal Employment Commission said Monday it is making its private sector workplace discrimination charge statistics for each of the 50 states and U.S. territories available online for fiscal years 2009-2011.

Allied World Bermuda offers enhanced Side A directors and officers coverage

Published May 10, 2012 CST

PEMBROKE, Bermuda—Allied World Bermuda has launched a directors and officers liability policy that provides broad Side A coverage for nonindemnified losses.

N.Y. landlord, sex offender settle Fair Housing Act case for $2M

Published May 09, 2012 CST

NEW YORK—A New York landlord who had employed as a superintendent a registered sex offender who had sexually harassed female tenants has reached a $2 million settlement with the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York.

Mississippi governor signs workers compensation reform bill

Published May 15, 2012 CST

JACKSON, Miss.—Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed into law Monday a workers compensation reform bill that will require claimants to meet a higher burden of proof that their injuries were work-related.

Average Calif. workers comp indemnity hits $66,922 in 2011: Institute

Published May 04, 2012 CST

OAKLAND, Calif.—The average cost of a California workers compensation indemnity claim edged up slightly to reach a record high of $66,922 for 2011, a California Workers' Compensation Institute bulletin states.

Managing workplace violence requires crisis communication

Published May 13, 2012 CST

The degree to which a mid-market company effectively manages internal and external communications may greatly affect its ability to recover physically and financially from a violent incident in the workplace, several security and risk management experts say.

Workplace violence mitigated by emergency communications plan

Published May 13, 2012 CST

With a well-organized, comprehensive emergency communications plan, mid-market companies can significantly reduce the risk of long-term physical, emotional and financial fallout resulting from a violent incident in the workplace, security and risk management experts say.

Contractual risk transfer provisions being challenged

Published April 29, 2012 CST

Well-established contractual risk transfer provisions used by construction contractors are being challenged by changes in state laws and additional insured endorsements contained in commercial general liability policies.

QBE North America expands employment practices liability insurance

Published April 23, 2012 CST

NEW YORK—QBE North America has expanded its employment practices liability insurance to include small- and medium-sized businesses.

Buyers struggling with coverage gaps, service shortfalls: Risk manager panel

Published May 03, 2012 CST

NEW YORK—Though conditions in the commercial casualty insurance market remain generally favorable, buyers still struggle with significant coverage gaps and service shortfalls in addressing their companies' exposures, a panel of risk managers said Tuesday at Advisen Ltd.'s Casualty Insights Conference in New York.

Miss. Workers' Compensation Commission decisions can be appealed to high court

Published May 08, 2012 CST

JACKSON, Miss.—In a split en banc decision Thursday, the Mississippi Supreme Court ruled that decisions from the state's Workers' Compensation Commission can be appealed directly to the high court.

Michigan school district settles fume-related workers comp claims

Published May 08, 2012 CST

PORTAGE, Mich.—A Michigan public school district has agreed to pay $432,000 to settle workers compensation claims by four teachers who alleged they suffered health problems caused by fumes from a high school renovation project.

Conn. Supreme Court upholds hostile work environment claim by gay employee

Published May 07, 2012 CST

HARTFORD, Conn.—In its first ruling on the issue, the Connecticut Supreme Court has upheld a hostile work environment claim brought by a gay employee.

New York's cap on workers comp awards applies to multiple injuries: Court

Published May 03, 2012 CST

A weekly cap on workers comp benefit awards applies even when a worker suffers several different injuries, New York's highest court ruled Tuesday in a 5-2 decision.

Economy may not be driving force behind lower medical utilization rates: Expert

Published April 27, 2012 CST

NEW YORK—The prevailing theory that economic pressure and a floundering job market are responsible for drop-offs in medical utilization—and that utilization will spike once the economy recovers—may be less accurate than once believed, said Peter Orszag, former director of the federal Office of Management and Budget.

Excess commercial casualty insurers, brokers face systemic challenges: Panel

Published May 04, 2012 CST

NEW YORK—Excess commercial casualty insurers and brokers have several systemic challenges they must address in order to meet their clients' needs and their own growth objectives in 2012 and beyond, a panel of experts said Tuesday at Advisen Ltd.'s Casualty Insights Conference in New York.

Questions to ask cloud computing providers

Published April 22, 2012 CST

• Are cloud computing users allowed to view the cloud provider's third-party audit reports?