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IJ Video Highlights

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.

Podcast Highlights

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.

In a Reader’s View

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

The story generated outrage among readers. Read a few of the comments below:

Renee says:

She and her attorney should have to pay for all property damage/attorney fees/court expenses caused by her accident/lawsuits against the various parties — This is NOT A CASE THAT DESERVES “THEIR DAY IN COURT” AS MANY DON’T. It is a clear case of responsibility and common sense. Our Court System needs to punish these types of cases immediately when filed and stop the COURT SYSTEM ABUSE. It cost all us taxpayers our hard-earned money, and I work too hard for my money to be wasted this way!!!!!!

Gene Pool says:

IMO, the problem is not with plaintiffs, but with the attorneys out to make their 1/3 to half the award. You can’t tell me this drunk came up with suing on her own. EU doesn’t have this problem as the suit loser pays all court AND legal expenses of the winning party. That tends to take away the no-risk suit process we have here. Of course, we’ll never have true tort reform as lawyers make the laws.

Agent says:

Mandating that we have to buy a product or service is hardly promoting the General Welfare Clause. These Progressive Liberals think they have to regulate and control every aspect of our lives. We have had enough of their control and regulation. It has basically bankrupted our country and Obamacare will put the final nail in the coffin. Has anyone seen their health premiums go down since this law was passed? It is not uncommon to see 15 percent increases on Individual and Group policies. How is this reducing the cost for us?

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