Manatee County (Fla.) Independent Insurance Agents Assoc. Members Listen in on E&O Liability Issues

At their recent regularly scheduled monthly luncheon meeting, the Manatee County Independent Insurance Agents Association Inc. (Bradenton, Fla.) had two partners from the Phelps Dunbar, LLP law firm (Tampa office) make a presentation regarding Error & Omissions liability issues.

Senior partner, Lawrence Ingram, Esquire, and partner Michael Ashy presented valuable information regarding actual cases in the Tampa/Bradenton area. They included technical issues, case law and some helpful ‘do’s & don’ts’. Phelps Dunbar LLP specializes in defense for professionals and is based in New Orleans, with in excess of 200 lawyers on staff.

Ingram stated “Employment Practices lawsuits is an area we are seeing more activity. Properly documenting files of coverage offers and getting signed rejections of coverages are two proactive ways agents can help in their defense against legal allegations.” He went on to say “an agent does not have to do anything wrong to get sued, and in many instances has not committed an error or omission.”

Kristin Smith, office manager at Boyd Insurance & Investment Services Inc. (www.boydinsurance.com), added, “The discussion by Mr. Ingram and Mr. Ashy was very practical and we will definitely be implementing several of their suggestions in the areas of documentation of coverage offers and rejections, as well as confirming conversations in writing when appropriate.”