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

Commercial Liability Insurers Face Rise in False Claims Act Cases

A growing number of False Claims Act investigations combined with recent court decisions that found insurers liable for the cost of settlements may spell trouble for commercial liability insurers. Policyholder attorney Geoffrey B. Fehling, with Hunton Andrews Kurth in Washington …

6th Circuit Rejects COVID-19 Business-Interruption Claim by Ohio Private Pre-Schools

The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals on Nov. 5 affirmed the dismissal of another lawsuit seeking coverage for COVID-19 business-interruption losses, this one filed jointly by 16 private pre-schools in Ohio. It was the third ruling by the 6th Circuit …

Missouri Judge Rules in Favor of Insurer in COVID-19 Business-Interruption Claim

A Kansas City jury decided in favor of the insurer in the nation’s first jury trail of a lawsuit that sought coverage for business-interruption losses caused by the coronavirus. The jury for the U.S. District Court for Western Missouri on …

Report Sounds Alarm Over Workers With Long-Term COVID-19 Symptoms

About 10% of people who contracted COVID-19 continue to suffer persistent symptoms months later, creating the potential for millions of people to suffer functional impairment for extended lengths of time, according to a report released by the National Council on …

Commercial Liability Insurers Face Growing Number of False Claims Act Cases

A growing number of False Claims Act investigations combined with recent court decisions that found insurers liable for the cost of settlements may spell trouble for commercial liability insurers. Policyholder attorney Geoffrey B. Fehling, with Hunton Andrews Kurth in Washington …

Workers’ Compensation Reserve Redundancy Reaches $14 Billion, Reports NCCI

Workers’ compensation insurers continue to stow away more money than necessary in reserves, even as reported loss ratios continue to climb, according to a report released by the National Council on Compensation Insurance. A.M. Best also released a report concluding …

Workers’ Compensation Insurers Find That as Opioid Cost Slows, Marijuana Grows

Workers’ compensation insurers have slashed spending on opioids, reducing the risk of addiction and delayed recovery, but now they are under increasing pressure to reimburse injured workers for a new kind of elixir. Six states now allow or require insurers …

Insurers Could Owe $80M to Investors Suing Over 2016 Willis Merger With Towers Watson

Seven insurers that shared the risk for directors and officers policies sold to Towers Watson may have to pay up to $80 million for settlements with shareholders who cried foul after learning that the brokerage’s 2016 merger with Willis included …

6th Circuit Reverses Finding That COVID Orders Caused Direct Physical Loss

A federal appellate court reversed a rare policyholder win in a COVID-19 related business-interruption claim, once again holding that government orders that restrict the use of a property do not constitute a “direct physical loss or damage” that requires coverage. …

‘Ambiguous’ Flood Deductible May Cost Carriers That Insured New Orleans Hotel

The redevelopment of the historic Jung Hotel and Residences in downtown New Orleans flooded four times before renovations were complete. The two insurers that issued a builder’s risk policy for the project thought they had limited their risk, but a …