State and Regional News

Florida Man Gets $650K for Strip Club Injury

A South Florida attorney says his client will get $650,000 after a dancer’s platform shoe shattered his eye socket at a strip club. Attorney Lake Lytal III said the Cheetah club’s insurance company agreed earlier this month to pay Michael …

Industry Giving Aids Republican in California Insurance Chief Race

The insurance industry has given more than $1.5 million in indirect contributions to support the Republican candidate for state insurance commissioner, drawing criticism that it is trying to buy influence without being tied directly to the campaign. Both leading candidates …

Tort Reform Takes Back Seat in Alabama’s Race for Governor

Huge jury verdicts, once potent political issues in a state known as “tort hell,” are getting little mention in this year’s race for Alabama governor. Dr. Robert Bentley, the Republican nominee, has called for limits on medical malpractice suits, but …

Missouri DOI Returns $6.5M to Consumers in 2010

Consumers who filed complaints with the Missouri Department of Insurance have received $6.5 million from their insurance companies in 2010. The money was returned as a result of the department’s mediation efforts on behalf of consumers who had filed complaints …

Payback of Indiana Loans for Jobless to Hit Businesses

The state will begin paying millions of dollars in penalties and interest to the federal government next year because it has borrowed nearly $2 billion to pay for jobless benefits, an Indiana unemployment official says. Scott Sanders, deputy commissioner of …

Mississippi Casino’s Barge Not Liable for Marina’s Damage During Katrina

The owners of a Biloxi marina damaged by a casino-owned barge that came loose during Hurricane Katrina are considering an appeal of a Mississippi court ruling that the casino is not liable for the destruction. Last week, the state Court …

Imprisoned New Jersey Woman Indicted for Auto Insurance Fraud

New Jersey prosecutors say a woman who is currently serving a five-year sentence for insurance fraud and identity theft has been indicted in a separate insurance fraud scheme to steal over $8,000 from Liberty Mutual. Dalynn White, also known as …

Recent Oklahoma Earthquake Among Strongest in State

One of the strongest earthquakes recorded in Oklahoma rattled parts of five states on October 13 and left two people with minor injuries. The earthquake struck at 9:06 a.m. about six miles east of Norman in Cleveland County, sharply shaking …

FEMA to Give Funds to 21 Flooded Minnesota Counties

The federal government has declared 21 counties in southern Minnesota disaster areas, prompting Gov. Tim Pawlenty to convene a special session for Oct. 18. The Federal Emergency Management Agency says funds are available to local and state government and some …

New York Panel Hears Homeowners Reform Proposals

New York insurance regulators proposed a series of tweaks to the state’s coastal homeowners insurance market this week, but it will probably be months before the state panel tasked with evaluating the proposals makes any decisions. The Temporary Panel on …