BNSF Says It Didn’t Know About Asbestos That’s Killed Hundreds in Montana Town
BNSF Railway attorneys told a Montana jury that the railroad should not be held liable for the lung cancer deaths of two former residents of an asbestos-contaminated Montana town, one of the deadliest sites in the federal Superfund pollution program. …
Alliant Insurance Services Acquires Advanced Benefits in Idaho
Alliant Insurance Services, headquartered in Irvine, California, acquired Advanced Benefits, based in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Founded in 1993, Advanced Benefits offers employee benefit programs, and HR and compliance services. The entire Advanced Benefits team will join Alliant.
Home Explosion in Maryland Injures 1, Requires 3 Crews to Douse Flames
An explosion razed a home in suburban Baltimore, officials said, sending one person to the hospital for injuries and requiring aid from dozens of firefighters to douse the flames. Baltimore County fire officials said they were called to the scene …
People Moves: MGA Nexus Taps Willett From Barents Re as Head of Development; PoloWorks Appoints CNA Hardy’s Borrel as Chief Risk Officer
This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Nexus Group and PoloWorks. A summary of these new hires follows here. MGA Nexus Taps Willett From Barents Re as Head of Development Nexus Group, the London-based specialty managing general agent, …
J&J, Kenvue Told to Pay $45 Million to Baby Powder User’s Family
Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue Inc. were ordered to pay $45 million to the family of an Illinois woman who blamed the companies’ baby powders for giving her a fatal cancer in what was the first verdict against the J&J …
What Do Countries and Companies Want in Global Plastic Treaty Talks?
Global leaders will gather in Canada’s capital this week to discuss progress in drafting a first-ever global treaty to rein in soaring plastic pollution by the end of the year. The hoped-for treaty, due to be agreed at the end …
Parental Fury After Stem Cell Bank Ruins Thousands of Children’s Samples in Singapore
Thousands of parents in Singapore are furious, with some now pursuing legal action, after a major operator of cord blood banks in Asia irreparably damaged their children’s samples through improper handling. The ongoing case, one of the worst to hit …
Europe Is Being Scorched and Flooded by Growing Climate Extremes
The European Union endured its joint-hottest year on record in 2023, according to new scientific analysis, pointing to a more perilous future for what is already the world’s fastest-warming continent. Europe experienced its largest wildfire on record last year, as …
FTX Investors Settle With Bankman-Fried to Pursue Promoters
A group of FTX investors and customers has agreed to drop their claims against co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried in exchange for his cooperation against other defendants in a sprawling set of lawsuits over the cryptocurrency exchange’s collapse. The agreement, if approved …
People Moves: McDonnell Succeeds Bridge as President of Vermont Mutual
The Vermont Mutual board of directors named Mark J. McDonnell president of Vermont Mutual Insurance Group. McDonnell is the 18th president, succeeding former president and current CEO Daniel C. Bridge, who will retire at the end of 2024. McDonnell joined …
People Moves: AEGIS London Hires AIG’s Johnson and Lambert for New Cyber Underwriting Team; Markel Promotes Gordge to Head of Terrorism in London
This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Lloyd’s syndicate AEGIS London and Markel, the insurance operations within Markel Group. A summary of these new hires follows here. AEGIS London Hires AIG’s Johnson and Lambert for New Cyber Underwriting …
Fleming Acquires James River’s Casualty Reinsurance Business, Ending Legal Dispute
James River Group Holdings Ltd. announced that Fleming Intermediate Holdings has completed the $277 million acquisition of James River’s casualty reinsurance business – after a period of legal wrangling that had threatened to derail the deal. The transaction, which was …
People Moves: Chubb Names Scheffler COO of Personal Risk Services; AXIS Appoints Morley Head of US E&O
Chubb said it has promoted Melissa Scheffler to chief operating officer of Personal Risk Services (PRS). Currently, Scheffler serves as regional executive officer for the Mid-Atlantic region. In a corresponding move, Bryce Graham, who currently serves as the Philadelphia and …
Severe Storms Cause Damage in Middle U.S.
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Strong storms caused damage in parts of the middle U.S. this week and spawned tornadoes in Kansas and Iowa, including one that left two people hurt. An EF-1 tornado touched down shortly after 6 a.m. Tuesday …
U of Kentucky ‘Distressed’ Over Alleged Misconduct by Former Swim Coach
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky spokeswoman says the school is “distressed to hear disturbing allegations” of sexual assault by former swimming and diving coach Lars Jorgensen outlined in a lawsuit by two former team members and will cooperate fully …
Travis Scott’s Attorneys Argue for Dismissal of Astroworld Lawsuits
HOUSTON (AP) — Attorneys for rap star Travis Scott argued in court this week that he should be dismissed from hundreds of lawsuits filed over the deadly 2021 Astroworld festival, saying he was not responsible for safety planning and watching …
Kansas Roofing Contractor Fined $233K for Deadly Fall Hazards
Federal workplace safety inspectors found a Kansas roofing contractor again putting its employees at risk of falls from elevation — the construction industry’s deadliest hazard — by not providing required protective equipment at two residential worksites in October 2023. U.S. …
Inszone Acquires Texas’ Talerity
Inszone Insurance Services announced the strategic acquisition of Talerity, LLC, a specialized insurance agency focusing on professional liability for medical providers. Founded in 2008 by Cary Smith, Talerity has carved a niche in the insurance landscape with its forward-thinking approach …
Georgia Town Aims to Disrupt Student Beach Bash After Last Year’s Chaos
TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. (AP) — Thousands of Black college students expected this weekend for an annual spring bash at Georgia’s largest public beach will be greeted by dozens of extra police officers and barricades closing off neighborhood streets. While the …
Former Congressman Charged After Collision with State Trooper in Florida
A former Congressman from North Carolina may soon be facing higher auto insurance premiums after he slammed into the back of a Florida state trooper’s patrol car on Interstate 75 near Naples. Madison Cawthorn, 28, who represented part of North …