Southeast News

Employers Can’t Use Vicarious Liability to Block Negligence Claims, TN High Court Says

The Tennessee Supreme Court this week dealt a blow to businesses and insurance companies, finding that employers can no longer argue that direct negligence claims are barred when the business admits vicarious liability for a worker’s actions. “We hold that …

Federal Investigation Begins into Fatal Crane Collapse in Fort Lauderdale

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Federal job safety officials began their investigation Friday into the collapse of a crane in downtown Fort Lauderdale that killed one worker, injured three people and left morning traffic snarled. Investigators from the Occupational Safety …

Slow Recovery in Mississippi a Year After Tornado Ripped Town Apart

OLLING FORK, Miss. (AP) — As a deadly tornado barreled toward their home in the Mississippi Delta, Ida Cartlidge only had time to scoop up her 1-year-old son, Nolan, and hold him close. Cartlidge huddled with her husband and three …

King Partners Buys Vero Beach-based Prestige Insurance

King Insurance Partners, the Gainesville, Florida-based brokerage, has continued its steady pace of expansion with the acquisition of Prestige Insurance, with offices in Vero Beach. Michele Anania is principal of the 25-year-old Prestige agency, which focuses on home, commercial and …

Former Florida Insurance Commissioner, Agent and FAIA Chair Gunter Dies

Former Florida insurance commissioner, treasurer and Congressman Bill Gunter died Monday at his Tallahassee home. He was 89. “He was a strong, thoughtful public servant and pioneer in insurance regulation as commissioner of insurance, paving the way for future CFOs …

11 Injured When Bus Carrying Fraternity Members Blows a Tire in Mississippi

BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. (AP) — Eleven people were injured when a bus carrying University of South Carolina students blew a tire and hit a concrete barrier in Mississippi. Mississippi state troopers said the driver and a student were critically …

Florida Panhandle Wildfire Destroys Home, Damages 15 Others

PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) — A wildfire in the Florida Panhandle has destroyed a home and damaged at least 15 others. The Florida Forest Service said Friday that the blaze, which broke out Thursday near Pensacola, was now more than 60% …

Gunfight at South Florida Bar Leaves 2 Dead, 7 Injured

DORAL, Fla. (AP) — A gunfight at a suburban Miami bar left two people dead and seven injured early Saturday. Investigators said a fight between customers broke out around 3:30 a.m. at the Martini Bar in the CityPlace Doral development …

SC Bill, Passed by House, Would Let Captives Solve the Liquor Liability Squeeze

With one month left in the South Carolina legislative session, two bills designed to ease liquor liability insurance costs are evolving and moving forward. The state House of Representatives late last month voted 106-2 to approve House Bill 5066, which …

Higginbotham Continues Growth Spurt with Tennessee’s Thompson & Smith

Higginbotham, the large U.S. insurance brokerage, has added another arrow to its quiver with the acquisition of Thompson & Smith Insurance, an independent agency in Jackson, Tennessee. T&S, offering commercial and personal lines, was founded in 1998 with the merger …

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