Monthly Archives: <span>December 2019</span>

Australia’s Wildfire Crisis Intensifies as Locals, Tourists Seek Refuge on Beaches

Australia’s wildfire crisis intensified on Tuesday as coastal towns across the southeast caught ablaze, forcing thousands of stranded tourists and locals to seek refuge on beaches. Thick black smoke billowing from infernos in Victoria and New South Wales states turned …

Most Common Workers’ Compensation Medical Provider Fraud Schemes

While most insurance claims are legitimate, studies indicate that 10% or more of all property/casualty insurance claims are fraudulent. In the workers’ compensation industry, combatting fraud can seem like a game of Whack-A-Mole. When certain schemes and scenarios are addressed, …

Uber, Postmates Sue to Overturn California Gig Worker Law as Unconstitutional

Uber Technologies Inc. and Postmates Inc. sued the state of California, alleging that a labor rights law set to go into effect this week is unconstitutional. The lawsuit filed Monday in Los Angeles federal court is a preemptive strike against …

Fourth Sewer Line in a Month Ruptures in South Florida City

For the fourth time in a month, a South Florida sewer line has ruptured. The sewer line burst on Friday at a park in Fort Lauderdale. It was repaired overnight when crews removed the damaged section of 16-inch force main …

Jim Beam Fined $600K Over Massive Kentucky Bourbon Spill

Jim Beam was fined $600,000 earlier this month after a July warehouse fire sent a nearly 23-mile (37-kilometer) plume of alcohol into the Kentucky and Ohio rivers, killing fish. The distiller agreed to the fine in a Dec. 6 order …

Kentucky Farmer Pleads Guilty in Tobacco Crop Insurance Fraud Scheme

Another Central Kentucky farmer has pleaded guilty in a crop insurance fraud scheme that a federal prosecutor has called “pervasive and severe” in that region. Daniel Arvin pleaded guilty on Dec. 19 in federal court in Lexington to a conspiracy …

Texas Insurance Regulators: New Year’s Day Is No. 1 Holiday for Vehicle Thefts

The Texas Department of Insurance is urging vehicle owners to lock their car doors and turn on alarms while they ring in the new year in order to prevent auto thefts. TDI said in a media release that a report …

City of Dallas Dismissed from Suit over Fatal Shooting by Off-Duty Officer

A federal judge has ruled the city of Dallas is not liable for an off-duty police officer fatally shooting a man in his own apartment last year. U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn dismissed the city from civil lawsuit that the …

2 Workers Die While Cleaning Chemical Tank at Houston-Area Business

Two workers apparently became overcome by fumes and died while cleaning a chemical tank at a business near Houston, authorities said on Dec. 28. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said in a tweet that deputies responded to the plant overnight …

Ohio Doctor Charged in 25 Patient Deaths Sues Hospital for Defamation

An Ohio doctor accused of ordering drug overdoses in the deaths of 25 hospital patients has sued his former employer for defamation, arguing that he did nothing wrong and did not deviate from hospital policy on end-of-life care. Dr. William …