Maryland News

Work-Related Deaths Decline in West Virginia

Work-related deaths in West Virginia have fallen to their lowest level since 2002. Preliminary figures released this week by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show 41 workers suffered fatal on-the-job injuries in 2009, down from 53 in 2008. Forty …

Best Upgrades Ratings of Zurich’s U.S. Subsidiaries to ‘A+’

A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating (FSR) to ‘A+’ (Superior) from ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) to “aa-” from “a+” of the U.S. subsidiaries of Zurich Insurance Company Limited (ZIC), including the lead company of …

All Risks Names Daugherty Undewriting Manager in Arizona

Hunt Valley, Md.-based All Risks Ltd. has named Abby Daugherty an underwriting manager in the Phoenix office. Daugherty has more than a decade of commercial excess and surplus, small account brokerage and contract binding experience. She will expand the Phoenix, …

BP Could Gain Claimants’ Rights to Sue Other Oil Spill Firms

Claimants to BP Plc’s $20 billion oil spill fund may soon be required to transfer to the company their right to sue other defendants, a move that could help BP’s efforts to collect billions of dollars from its business partners. …

Decades of Data Show Troposphere Is Warming Too

Not only is Earth’s surface warming, but the troposphere — the lowest level of the atmosphere, where weather occurs — is heating up too, U.S. and British meteorologists reported Monday. In a review of four decades of data on troposphere …

Illinois Faces Physician Shortage Due to Malpractice Liability, Study Warns

Half of all graduating medical residents or fellows trained in Illinois leave the state to practice medicine elsewhere, in large part due to the medical liability environment in Illinois, according to a new study from Northwestern University Feinberg School of …

Illinois Disciplinary Actions Include License Denials, Suspensions, Fines

Illinois Department of Insurance Director of Insurance Michael T. McRaith has issued the following disciplinary orders for September and October 2010: Shango D. Johnson, Chicago – Insurance producer license suspended effective Sept. 8, 2010. Johnson was licensed to sell life, …

Mina Named Managing Partner for Willis of Maryland

John Mina has been appointed managing partner at Willis of Maryland, Inc. Mina will be responsible for business development for Willis’ Washington, D.C.-based insurance brokerage operations. He will be based in Potomac, Md. Willis of Maryland has more than 100 …

New Markets

The following markets were selected from the MyNewMarkets database of 25,000 coverages and programs. To find additional markets, or to submit markets, go to www.MyNewMarkets.com. Environmental Services Market Detail: Swett & Crawford offers coverage for contractors or consultants providing environmental …

Election Will Mean New Faces in State Insurance Commissioner Jobs

Tuesday’s elections could have ramifications for a number of state insurance commissioner posts across the country. Nationwide, 11 commissioners are directly elected but there are only four such elections tomorrow; the rest of commissioners are appointed, most by governors or …