N.Y. High Court Says Comp Board Rulings Can’t Block Injury Lawsuits
The New York Court of Appeals ruled that Workers Compensation Board findings cannot automatically block related personal injury lawsuits, confirming that the Justice for Injured Workers Act applies prospectively to pending and future cases. The decision stemmed from Waldy Quinones Garcia’s claim, where a 2021 board finding of no causally related injury could not be used to dismiss his negligence suit. The court emphasized the statute does not retroactively impair vested rights or impose new liabilities. This affirms the appellate division’s reversal of a trial‑court summary‑judgment order.
Brazil Tanker Laws Expose Owners to Uncapped Risk
Brazil’s domestic maritime statutes impose uncapped civil liability on tanker owners for pollution, diverging from the limited‑liability framework of international conventions. The laws extend responsibility to indirect polluters and require full environmental restoration plus third‑party damages. Steamship Insurance Management Services...
Shell Emissions Case Reaches Dutch Supreme Court
The Dutch Supreme Court has agreed to hear a landmark climate‑change lawsuit against Shell, alleging the company misrepresented its carbon emissions and failed to align with national climate goals. The case stems from a 2021 lower‑court ruling that ordered Shell...
State High Court Revives Claims Against Former Insurance Agency Staff
Relation Insurance secured a partial win when the North Carolina Supreme Court revived trade‑secret and computer‑fraud claims against Pilot Risk Management Consulting and seven former employees. The high court rejected a lower‑court dismissal, sending disputed client‑list and renewal‑data issues to...
Insurer Must Face D&O Coverage Claims over $1.77M Judgment
A federal judge in North Carolina ruled that AmTrust Financial Services' subsidiary must defend directors and officers (D&O) coverage claims stemming from a $1.77 million judgment against two Avadim Health executives. The judgment arose after a jury found the executives liable...
Church Mutual Names Former Zurich Exec CFO
Church Mutual Insurance announced Daniel Kim as its new chief financial officer, succeeding Dewey Gantz. Kim joins from Zurich’s Cover‑More unit, where he oversaw performance and planning, and previously served as CFO of Zurich’s Japan property‑and‑casualty business. Gantz will transition...
Court Upholds Shoulder Treatment in Comp Dispute over Preexisting Condition
A Louisiana appeals court upheld compensation for a delivery driver’s shoulder replacement, ruling that a work‑related vehicle accident aggravated his pre‑existing condition. The court affirmed the lower judge’s decision that Replacement Parts Inc. and Zurich American Insurance must pay for...
Dermatologicals Top Workers Comp Drug Costs: Study
Dermatological agents topped workers‑compensation drug spending in early 2025, representing 23% of prescription payments on average and exceeding 30% in several states. More than 70% of these costs flowed through physician‑dispensing and delivery‑pharmacy channels, which dominated the market in 20...
Below-Normal Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast: NOAA
NOAA’s seasonal outlook predicts a below‑normal Atlantic hurricane campaign, assigning a 55% chance of below‑normal activity and a 10% chance of an above‑normal season. The agency expects 8–14 named storms, of which three to six could become hurricanes and one...
Takeda Engaged in Antitrust Scheme to Delay Generic Constipation Drug: US Jury
A Boston federal jury found Takeda Pharmaceutical liable for an antitrust scheme that delayed the generic version of its constipation drug Amitiza, awarding roughly $885 million in damages. The award could triple under federal law, potentially reaching $2.47 billion. The case centers...
EU Mulls Rules to Reduce Reliance on China for Critical Components
The European Union is drafting legislation to curb its reliance on Chinese suppliers for critical components such as semiconductors, rare‑earth minerals and advanced batteries. The European Commission’s proposal introduces stricter import vetting, a €10 billion fund to spur domestic production, and...
Insurer Wins Coverage Dispute over IVF Genetic Testing Fraud Claims
A federal judge in Illinois ruled that Landmark American Insurance Co., a Berkshire Hathaway unit, does not have to defend or indemnify Reproductive Genetics Institute (RGI) in a class‑action lawsuit alleging deceptive marketing of its embryo‑screening test. The court found...
Physician Can’t Claim Comp Immunity in Baseball Player Death Suit: Fla. Court
A Florida appeals court affirmed that Dr. David Olson cannot invoke Minnesota workers‑compensation immunity in a wrongful‑death suit over Twins prospect Ryan Costello’s 2019 death. The court applied Florida’s Workers’ Compensation Act, which excludes professional athletes from the definition of...
Tokio Marine Partners on Restaurant Coverage
Tokio Marine HCC’s Specialty Group has teamed up with Adaptive Insurance to launch a digitally delivered Restaurant Recovery policy. The AI‑driven platform lets restaurant owners and brokers quote and bind coverage online, with limits of $500,000 or $1 million. The product...
QBE North America Hires Former Marsh Risk Cyber Leader
QBE North America announced the appointment of a former Marsh Risk cyber leader to head its cyber insurance division. The new executive, who spent over a decade leading Marsh's cyber underwriting and risk analytics, will report directly to QBE’s U.S....