Articles by Amy O'Connor

O'Connor is the Southeast editor for Insurance Journal and associate editor of MyNewMarkets.com.

Florida High Court Rejects Strems Bid to Dissolve Suspension; Contempt Petition Filed

A Florida attorney accused of causing great public harm through a “vast campaign of unprofessional, unethical, and fraudulent conduct,” by way of thousands of insurer lawsuits has lost his latest battle to overturn his suspension and now faces a petition …

FBI Recovers $3M in Stolen Ventilators in South Florida

A $3 million shipment of ventilators stolen that was stolen earlier this month was recovered in South Florida, the FBI said in a news release. The agency said the ventilators were being prepared for shipment to El Salvador by the …

Worker Killed Working on Outer Banks Bridge in North Carolina

A person has died while working on a new bridge on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The Virginian-Pilot reports that the fatal injury occurred on Monday. The bridge is going up over the Pamlico Sound in Rodanthe. Tim Hass, spokesman for …

As FAIA Chief Grady Says Goodbye, He Shares His Top 10 Moments

For 22 years, the Florida Association of Insurance Agents has been led by Jeff Grady, president and chief executive officer, who admits that when he started all those years ago he did not expect to “fall in love with insurance …

University of North Carolina Workers Complain of Unsafe Working Conditions in Lawsuit

Campus workers in the University of North Carolina system have filed a lawsuit saying working conditions are unsafe and that workers are reporting for work with inadequate protective equipment amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Some university employees, including housekeepers and other …

Florida’s Citizens Won’t Resume Policy Cancellations in August After All

Florida’s state-run insurer Citizens Property Insurance Corp. will extend its moratorium on cancellations and nonrenewals until the end of 2020 despite saying earlier this month it would resume processing them on Aug. 15. The decision comes after Florida CFO Jimmy …

Suspension of Florida Lawyer Accused of Causing ‘Great Public Harm’ Justified: Judge

A Florida judge has recommended the Florida Supreme Court deny the motion to dissolve the suspension of a Florida attorney who, with his firm, has filed thousands of assignment of benefit and first party lawsuits against Florida property insurers over …

Florida’s Citizens Accuses Embattled Law Firm, Others of Sham Lawsuits, Racketeering

Florida’s state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp. has joined a chorus of insurance companies accusing the Strems Law Firm of lawsuit abuse. Citizens says it has lost millions of dollars due to an alleged scheme of “sham” claims by the law …

Florida’s Citizens Accuses Embattled Law Firm, Others of Sham Lawsuits, Racketeering

Florida’s state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp. has joined a chorus of insurance companies accusing the Strems Law Firm of lawsuit abuse. Citizens says it has lost millions of dollars due to an alleged scheme of “sham” claims by the law …

Florida Cat Fund Foregoes Private Reinsurance for 2020 Hurricane Season

Reinsurance coverage for the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund was not purchased for this year’s hurricane season after overseers of the fund evaluated the market and found a lack of private capital availability. In a statement, John Kuczwanski, manager of External …