Daily Headlines: Friday, February 18, 2011

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February 18, 2011 News By Region  National  International  East  Midwest  Southeast  South Central  West Video Today's Headlines National Fear of Lawsuits Drives Doctors to Order Tests: Study CT scans, MRIs and other pricey imaging tests are often more for the doctor's benefit than the patient's, new research confirms. Roughly ... Internet v. Courts: Googling for Perfect Jurors When picking a jury, lawyers always try to stack the panel with people likely to take their side. Now, some are taking the vetting process ... Obama Budget, House Panel Address Medical Malpractice Reforms Putting his own stamp on a long-standing Republican priority, President Barack Obama is launching a drive to overhaul state medical ... Regulators Warn Against Defunding Dodd-Frank Implementation Republicans escalated their push to delay and defund the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reforms on Thursday as top regulators warned the U.S. ... BP Workers Might Have Prevented Rig Accident If Consulted: Report BP had workers on the doomed Deepwater Horizon rig who could have prevented the missteps that led to the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill, ... Internet v. Courts: Googling for Perfect Jurors When picking a jury, lawyers always try to stack the panel with people likely to take their side. Now, some are taking the vetting process ... Repeal of Healthcare Law 1099 Tax Requirement Passes House Committee The House Ways and Means Committee has advanced a bill to repeal a tax reporting provision included in last year's healthcare reform law. ... Study Warns Rising Seas Could Threaten 180 U.S. Cities by 2100 Rising seas spurred by climate change could threaten 180 U.S. coastal cities by 2100, a new study says, with Miami, New Orleans and ... Best Report Highlights 50% Jump in Asbestos, Environmental Losses A soon to be issued report from A.M. Best details an increase in U.S. property/casualty insurers' asbestos and environmental (A&E) ... Willis No. Am. Names Hamada as Japan Global Practice Group Leader Willis North America, a unit of Willis Group Holdings, announced Junji Hamada as the Japan Global Practice Group National Practice Leader, ... Best Upgrades Agri General’s Ratings to ‘A+’ A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating (FSR) to 'A+' (Superior) from 'A' (Excellent) and issuer credit rating (ICR) to ... Restaurant Market Starting to Heat Up Again It is no secret that the restaurant industry has been in a slump the last few years. As families have cut back on eating out, restaurants... More National News The Green Risks Series Boot Camp Join us for an educational webinar series about green buildings - created by insurance professionals for insurance professionals. As green buildings become mainstream, the challenge is on the insurance industry to be prepared for these genuinely unique risks. Save $150 when you register today Register Today East Philadelphia Suit Alleges U.S. Catholic Leaders Failed to Protect Kids A civil lawsuit filed this week against the Archdiocese of Philadelphia by a man who said two priests had sexually abused him as a child ... Pennsylvania Considers Tort Reform Pennsylvania lawmakers are once again eyeing a tort reform package -- a resurrection of the "Fair Share" act -- that many in the ... The Suit Must Go On: Broadway Musical Sued Over Injuries Two theatergoers are suing a Broadway musical for millions after claiming they were injured during a performance of "Billy Elliot: The ... Massachusetts' Morrill Group Acquires Goldman Ernest & Liner Morrill Group, an independent insurance agency based in Norwood, Mass., has acquired Goldman Ernest & Liner Insurance Agency of ... Keystone Names Irwin VP of Business Development David Irwin has been named vice president of business development for Keystone Insurers Group. Irwin is a 20-year insurance industry ... More East News Producer Performance Development Program (8 group sessions, plus one-on-one coaching) Finally, one of the insurance industry's premier classroom Producer Sales Training programs is available online. Nearly $4,000 worth of training is delivered at the convenience of the Internet. To allow for an improved learning experience this class is strictly limited to 20 students. Click here for Course Outline. Midwest Michigan Man Slips Up in Trip-and-Fall Case A man who tripped and fell has lost his lawsuit against Michigan's Bay City because he gave the wrong location. The Michigan appeals court ... State Auto Sees Improvements in Q4 2010 State Auto Financial Corp., headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, reported fourth quarter 2010 net income of $37.6 million, or $0.94 per diluted ... Insurer Rejects Fan’s $50,000 Hockey Shot Pay-Out An Indiana Ice fan who shot a hockey puck the full 175-foot length of the hockey rink into a target with the chance to win $50,000 in a ... Major Flooding Expected in North Central U.S. A large swath of the country is at risk of moderate to major flooding this spring, from northeastern Montana through western Wisconsin ... Massachusetts' Morrill Group Acquires Goldman Ernest & Liner Morrill Group, an independent insurance agency based in Norwood, Mass., has acquired Goldman Ernest & Liner Insurance Agency of ... Record Number of Grain Bin Accidents in 2010 Clumps of moldy corn crashed down around Lael Steinhoff, burying him above his waist for more than three hours before rescue workers could ... More Midwest News Southeast State Farm Florida Cites Sinkhole Claims in Rate Hike Bid Citing sinkhole losses and higher operating expenses, State Farm Florida asked state regulators this week for a 28 percent premium increase ... Alabama Bars’ Machines Let Drinkers Test Alcohol Level The latest electronic novelty popping up in local bars in Alabama might spare someone a night in jail or even save a life -- or it might ... Florida Homeowners Settle Bombing Range Lawsuit for $1.2 Million Homeowners in a southeast Orlando subdivision have settled a class-action lawsuit against a homebuilder for $1.2 million. An attorney for ... More Southeast News South Central Texas Judge, a State Farm Customer, Withdraws from Overcharges Case A Texas judge who's a State Farm Insurance customer has withdrawn from hearing the company's fight against paying $350 million in alleged ... Oklahoma Agents Group Outlines Legislative Interests for 2011 The Independent Insurance Agents of Oklahoma (IIAO) is following a number of insurance related measures that have been introduced in the ... More South Central News West Washington Workplace Fatalities Climb 32% Workplace deaths in Washington state climbed in 2010, with 86 men and women killed due to job-related trauma, according to a report on ... Washington Refines Pay-As-You-Drive Legislation Washington's Senate Committee on Financial Institutions, Housing & Insurance has refined a proposal to allow drivers' insurance rates ... Calif. Wants Insurance Companies to Invest in Communities California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones is offering insurance companies $4.67 million in tax credits to invest in underserved ... Colorado House Tables Credit Disclosure Bill Legislators in Colorado are considering a bill that would require additional disclosures of information that insurers use for underwriting ... More West News International Shippers Say Somali Piracy Threat Worsening by the Week Somali piracy is worsening by the week and governments lack the political will to tackle the crisis, which is threatening world trade ... Kidnap & Ransom: Negotiating Lives for Cash When John Chase's phone rings, he does not know whether he will be called to deal with a Somali pirate hijacking, a Latin American ... Swiss Re 2010 Net Income up on Buffet Loan Repayment, but Miss Forecasts Swiss Re struck a note of confidence on its pricing power and hiked its dividend, saying capital had recovered since it turned to U.S. ... SCOR Sells U.S. Fixed Annuity Business French reinsurer SCOR Group announced that it is "disposing of its US Fixed Annuity business through the sale of its subsidiary Investors ... Best Sees No Change in QBE’s Rating from Balboa Buy A.M. Best Europe -- Rating Services Limited has commented that the rating of Australia's QBE Insurance Group Limited is "unchanged ... More International News Join the Insurance Journal Network Insurance Journal TV Will Deficit Debate Affect Flood Insurance? Taxes? Following the November elections, Congress and the White House, as well as states, have... Watch Now How November Elections Changed Insurance Power in Washington The November elections brought change to Washington as Republicans took control of the House... Watch Now Watch more videos at InsuranceJournal.tv New Discussions in the Forums One step closer.. going COMPLETELY paperless in 2010.. Posted: Fri Feb 18 -- You should try EZBuy... no extra equipment to get...accepted by everyone that accepts electronic signatures... and it's tailored for an... choicenotchance Farmers - your opinion Posted: Fri Feb 18 -- Sacman- Your point is well taken, I am familiar with the Farmers from some time ago, so I base my experience on that. Nevertheless the... AgencyEquity Are Insurance Agencies Looking to Merger? Posted: Thu Feb 17 -- We are a Midwest independent insurance agency very interested in mergers and acquisitions. We have made 3 acquisitions in the past 3 years.... johnhlas I'm Considering Opening an Independent Insurance Agency Posted: Thu Feb 17 -- d's ins- Not that I question you results or others you know, but it is odd that we have such different experiences. Maybe its regional,... sacman Which carrier is best for hotels? Posted: Thu Feb 17 -- Northern California area hotels/ motels cwallace PA Dog Liability to meet State Requirements Posted: Thu Feb 17 -- I have an insured with a dog who has previously bitten. Even though the dog was a guidedog, on her own property and provoked enough that I... Suze PA - Log Home with Farm Animals Posted: Thu Feb 17 -- I have a long time customer with a beautiful log home with 5 horses, some goats and some chickens. There are a couple old sheds that need... Suze Need info on carriers that handle Common area HOA's Posted: Thu Feb 17 -- You should call Timothy Cline, President of Timothy Cline and Associates, check out his website at... 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