Declarations

Scrubbing ‘Gotcha’ Clauses

“Our goal is to scrub ‘gotcha’ clauses out of insurance contracts before they’re sold to Michigan consumers.”

—Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation Commissioner Ken Ross is requiring insurance companies to submit to OFIR all new or revised documents and forms for personal, family or household insurance. Ross’s order rescinds a 1997 order by former Insurance Commissioner Joe Olson that exempted many contracts and other documents from filing requirements. Ross said recent court cases support the need for the state to review these documents. In 2005, the Michigan Supreme Court said that it was the responsibility of the commissioner – not courts – to review clauses for legality, according to Ross.

Dunkin’ Defamation

“(E)xcessive drinking, inappropriate conduct with female employees … and a misleading and dishonest character.”

—Allegations that former Dunkin’ Donuts executive Michael O’Donovan says were used to defame him. He is suing the company for $5 million, claiming that the company damaged his reputation so much that he can’t land another job.

An Active Seismic Zone

“Everyone in southeast Missouri knows we’re sitting in one of the most active seismic zones in the world.”

—Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon is urging “every family, every business and every community” along the New Madrid fault line to be ready in the event that a big earthquake should occur. The fault line runs through southeast Missouri and into parts of Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas. Nixon on Feb. 19 convened a panel of a dozen state and local officials who are on the front lines of disasters to discuss emergency preparedness.

Not to Be Overlooked

“Companies that expose employees to hazards, and then blatantly ignore citations requiring correction of those hazards, will not be overlooked.”

—Charles E. Adkins, OSHA regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo., comments on the contempt orders issued against a St. Louis, Mo.-area company and individuals for failing to comply with court orders enforcing safety citations. The contempt of court orders were issued against Brian Andre, former owner of Andre Tuckpointing and Brickwork (AT&B), Andre Stone and Mason Work Inc. (AS&MW) and Regina Shaw, owner of AS&MW. The cases stem from numerous citations OSHA issued to AT&B and its successor, AS&MW, for willful, repeat and serious violations related to fall hazards, scaffolding erection deficiencies, power tool guarding and other hazards in connection with multiple projects in the St. Louis area.

Topics Michigan Missouri