Web Exchange

Trends in Professional Liability Claims

With certain professions seeing a rise in claims, Gerry Merritt, president of Hanover Professionals, discusses the reason for the increase and the main targets of such claims, in this interview with Claims Journal and Insurance Journal at the 2011 annual Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS) conference in San Diego.

The Scope of Intellectual Property

Robert Fletcher, president of the Intellectual Property Services Corp., explains a business’ IP, how it is valued and the costs associated with litigating IP claims, in this interview with Claims Journal and Insurance Journal at the 2011 annual Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS) conference in San Diego.

An Interview with Pam Stiefel, IASIU Investigator of the Year

Pam Stiefel, a special investigator with The Hartford, talks about how a single auto theft referral led to an investigation of an international, organized title washing ring operating through the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and how she busted the criminals with the help of federal investigators in an undercover sting operation.

The Role of Appliances in Residential House Fires

Although the risk of a house fire caused by a defective appliance has gone down through the years, appliances should still be examined as a potential ignition source, says John Mulcahy, a forensic electrical engineer with NEFCO. In an interview with Claims Journal, Mulcahy describes common electrical components in appliances, their hazards and how appliance manufacturers are identified post-fire.

South Carolina Woman Sues Bar for Failing to Check ID

A woman is suing a Bluffton, S.C., bar because a bartender didn’t check her age before serving her on the night of the 2009 wreck that paralyzed her. Chelsea Hess, who was then 20 years old, is a paraplegic because of the accident.

Hess’ lawsuit says she was served at Jock’s Sports Grill, but the bartender failed to check her ID or to determine if she was already drunk. She’s also suing the state Department of Transportation, saying the agency failed to properly maintain the shoulder of the road where her car crashed. Lawyers for both defendants say Hess is responsible for her accident. AP

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