Articles by Jim Sams

Sams is editor of ClaimsJournal.com, the online resource and daily newsletter for property/casualty insurance claims professionals. ClaimsJournal is a member of the Wells Media Group. Sams can be reached at jsams@wellsmedia.com

AI Algorithms, Strict Place-of-Work Rules Potential Trouble Spots for Employment Claims

SAN DIEGO — Technological innovations and changing work arrangements brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic are among some of the emerging issues that can make employers vulnerable to discrimination lawsuits, a top employment practices defense attorney said Thursday. Barry A. …

Prosecutors Oppose Release of Alleged Restoration Extortion Gang Leader

The alleged leader of a gangland extortion ring that took control of the New York City fire restoration industry can be heard on recordings threatening to kill competitors and ordering an attack on a rival firm’s employee, federal prosecutors say …

New SEC Disclosure Rules May Drive Up D&O Claims

SAN DIEGO — New rules proposed by the US Securities and Exchange Commission on cybersecurity and climate impact disclosures may generate more lawsuits that will generate claims against directors & officers policies, panelists said Wednesday during the Professional Liability Underwriting …

Ruling Exposes Gov’t to $1.6B In Damages Because of Hurricane Harvey Flooding

A federal court in late October found the US government liable for $455,000 in damages to six claimants whose homes were flooded by water backed up behind two dams near Houston during Hurricane Harvey — but that’s just for starters. …

NCCI: Almost One Quarter of COVID Claimants Suffer Prolonged Symptoms

Nearly a quarter of workers’ compensation claimants who were treated for COVID-19 experienced persistent symptoms or a relapse months later, according to a new study by the National Council on Compensation Insurance. The researchers found workers who were hospitalized for …

Bad Driving, Inflation Among Factors Pushing Increase In Auto Loss Ratios

U.S. auto insurers are coping with the largest direct loss ratio in 20 years because of factors that include historic inflation, a deterioration in driving behavior and sky-high jury awards, the American Property and Casualty Insurance Association says in a …

Judge Threatens to Sanction Firm for Baseless La. Hurricane Suits

A federal judge in Louisiana is threatening to fine a Houston-based law firm $200 for each duplicate or baseless lawsuit he finds among the 1,642 that the firm has filed against insurers for alleged hurricane damages. US District Court Judge …

Driver Can Stack Uninsured Motorist Coverage, South Carolina High Court Says

A woman who was injured in a crash while driving a rental car provided by an auto insurer may collect uninsured motorist benefits from more than one policy, the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled Wednesday. In a 3-2 decision, the …

New York High Court: Insured’s ‘Mutual Mistake’ Argument Came Too Late

New York’s highest court reversed a $4.5 million judgment against an insurer that denied a fire damage claim by the owner of a vacant commercial building because the owner had not installed an automatic sprinkler system required by the policy. …

Judge Threatens to Sanction Law Firm that Filed Hundreds of La. Hurricane Lawsuits

A federal judge in Louisiana is threatening to fine a Houston-based law firm $200 for each duplicate or baseless lawsuit he finds among the 1,642 that the firm has filed against insurers for alleged hurricane damages. US District Court Judge …