The Malpractice Cap: Order in the Court?

A few years ago, in a relatively small town in a quiet (not known for big lawsuits) area of the country, an Ob/Gyn (Obstetrics and Gynecology) doctor opened his new practice.  In helping the community while beginning to raise his family, he earned $300,000 in his second year.  Only... Read More

SUVs and Your Teenager – A Bad Combination

By now, most of us are aware that SUVs have a greater chance of rolling over in a single vehicle accident than cars.  You’re also probably aware of what type of vehicle your teenager wants to drive.  But before you purchase a SUV for your teen, you should be... Read More

Intellectual Property Liability Is Everywhere – But Where Is The Coverage?

It seems as though virtually anything created can be patented, copyrighted, trademarked or otherwise protected.  Oddly enough, even with patent protection there is danger. It is easy to believe that if you hold a patent, copyright or trademark you cannot possibly infringe on someone else’s intellectual property – but... Read More

Do Not Fall Prey to a Staged Auto Accident

As if it wasn’t painful enough to be found at fault in an auto accident, imagine finding out that it was not an “accident” after all.  Each year thousands of drivers become victims of staged auto accidents, and most never realize it.  Criminals plan the accident to appear as... Read More

Sarbanes Oxley – Making the Corporate Jungle Safer?

Depending on whom you talk to, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 was either a panacea to cure the ailing stock market and restore trust in Corporate America or a shot to the bow of America’s capitalist vision.  Just what is Sarbanes-Oxley and whom does it affect? Sarbanes-Oxley is a... Read More

Tips to Reduce Insurance Premiums for Your Teenage Driver

While most parents would prefer to keep their teenagers off the road, you probably won’t have much success encouraging them to withhold from getting that long awaited ticket to freedom. Unfortunately, because teenagers are at a higher risk for traffic accidents and tickets, their insurance rates can easily be... Read More

Keeping Up with the Jones and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act

Navigating the winding straits of various state workers’ compensation systems can be difficult to do for companies traversing state lines, but what if the company employs people at sea?  If your business employs dockworkers or seamen of any sort, there are two acts you should be aware of. The... Read More

Trading Places – When It Becomes Necessary to Tell Your Elderly Parents to Stop Driving

There sometimes comes a point in the relationship between adult children and their parents that you begin to notice a shift in power.  Suddenly, the people whose favorite words were “because I said so” are the ones being counseled on their decisions.  Role reversal is an extremely difficult change... Read More

Environmentally Friendly Insurance for Small Business

If you’ve ever considered owning a small business, or are considering owning one, you’ve probably heard all the usual advice.  Make sure you have enough capital.  Only let family run the cash register.  Don’t take in a partner without an ironclad contract.   Location, location, location. What you may not... Read More

Avoid Sewer and Drain Damage to Your Basement

Millions of dollars are spent every year repairing damage to basements caused by sewer and drain backups.  There are some ways these problems can be avoided, instead of having to repair the mess from a sewer or drain backup. Make sure your drainage systems are working properly.  The downspouts... Read More

Managing Diversity – What An Employer Needs To Know

“Managing Diversity” is a critical human resources function for organizations large and small.  All too often, though, executives and managers lose sight of what diversity means from a legal and moral perspective, and the message then gets lost in the translation when it comes to the rank and file... Read More

Protect Yourself When Taking on a Remodeling Project

Due to sustained record low interest rates, many homeowners have elected to take on major home remodeling projects.  According to the National Association of Home Builders, approximately 26 million Americans spend more than 180 billion annually on home improvements.   In many cases, however, homeowners are not updating their insurance... Read More

Understanding the Role of Loss Mitigation Insurance

Loss Mitigation Insurance transfers an unknown or unwanted exposure from one company to an insurance company for a price. LMI caps what would otherwise be an unknown amount and is particularly effective if the company with the liability is in the process of merging or being acquired. Employers of... Read More

Insuring Your Vacation Rental Car: How to Prevent Being Over or Underinsured

While most people take the time before a vacation to research the best rates on rental cars, they generally forget to research insurance coverage for their rental car ahead of time. This can lead to costly mistakes either by being underinsured or by purchasing too much coverage. To prevent... Read More

Sarbanes-Oxley Act Changes Rules for Privately-Owned Businesses

Responding to a number of scandals involving fraud at publicly owned companies, the U.S. Congress in 2002 enacted a new law intended to make undetected fraud less likely to occur.  The law applies only to public companies, mainly those whose securities are registered in accordance with the Securities Exchange... Read More

Is Your Car a Thief Magnet?

Everybody loves driving a nice car; but not everybody is willing to pay for one.  It is possible that a potential thief may be coveting your car even as you read these words. However, you don’t have to be left vulnerable. The savvy car owner knows that taking a... Read More

Why Your Company May Need Product Liability Insurance

If your company manufactures any kind of product, from lemonade to engines, computers to clothing, it could easily find itself on the wrong side of a lawsuit by a plaintiff claiming your product(s) caused some kind of injury or damage. In today’s litigious society, it is not even necessary... Read More

Power Up After the Storm with a Generator for Your Home

Ask any Floridian and they’ll tell you that an emergency generator is like gold after a hurricane. Almost all of us live in a geographic area susceptible to earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, or ice storms. In each of those disasters, a backup emergency generator can quickly become your most valuable... Read More

Certificates of Insurance – A Prudent Means to Avoid Costly Claims

More and more companies are hiring independent contractors to handle not only administrative matters, such as benefits and human resources, but also sales and distribution. With this delegation of authority to third-party suppliers comes less direct control over these operations, and greater becomes the need for clients to demand... Read More

Protect Your Possessions with an Electronic Home Inventory

Having a homeowner’s insurance policy is not enough to thoroughly protect all the possessions in your home.  Only by documenting your goods and updating the list on a regular basis, can you ensure you have enough insurance, settle claims faster and substantiate losses for income tax purposes.  The process... Read More