West News

Washington Insurance Commissioner Fines Unite Health, Others $500K for Violations

Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s office issued more than $500,000 in fines in May and June for violations of state insurance laws and regulations, including fining Unite Health Share Ministries $300,000 for acting as an unauthorized insurer in Washington. Kreidler’s …

Containment on Large California Fire Increased, but Temps Are Expected to Soar

Firefighters increased containment on the biggest wildfire currently burning in California, but triple-digit temperatures are expected to bake the state and increase wildfire risk. The Basin Fire in Fresno County has burned 13,551 acres and is 17% contained, but from …

PG&E Cut Power to 2,000 as Extreme Heat Bakes California

PG&E Corp. cut power to about 2,000 homes and businesses in Northern California as triple-digit temperatures, strong winds and low humidity heightened the risk of wildfires. The utility said it preemptively shut power across small areas of eight counties and …

Arthur J. Gallagher Acquires Cornerstone in California

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. acquired Rancho Cucamonga, California-based Cornerstone Commercial & Personal Insurance Services Inc. Phil Hakopian, Allison Hakopian and their team will remain in their current location under the direction of Scott Firestone, head of Gallagher’s Southwest region …

Report Keys on Impacts of Economic Changes on California Workers’ Comp

Projected changes to California workers’ comp claims frequency and severity due to industry mix of employment are negligible through 2026, while employment in most industries fully recovered from the initial pandemic related changes by the end of 2022, a new …

California Wildfire Outlook: ‘A Challenging Season for Firefighters’

While the official start to California’s wildfire season is still a ways off, the best forecast of what’s ahead may be to look back on the year so far, and so far it’s been far busier for firefighters than last …

Maui Officials Highlight Steps Toward Rebuilding a Year After Deadly Wildfire

Nearly a year after wind-whipped flames raced through Kim Ball’s Hawaii community, the empty lot where his house once stood is a symbol of some of the progress being made toward rebuilding after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than …

Are Employers Prepared for California’s Workplace Violence Prevention Law?

California’s Workplace Violence Prevention Senate Bill 553, which is now in effect (July 1), requires businesses with exposure in the state to implement robust workplace violence prevention plans. SB 553, which modifies an existing California labor code, gives the state’s …

Report: Combined California Workers’ Comp Losses and Expenses Down in 2023

Total insurer combined losses and expenses incurred in 2023 were down, a new report shows. The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California released its report on workers’ compensation losses and expenses for 2023. Findings in the WCIRB report, 2023 …

California Workers’ Comp Med-Legal Costs up Sharply Under New Fee Schedule

Payments for medical-legal evaluations and reports used to resolve medical disputes in California worker injury claims rose more than expected since a new Med-Legal Fee Schedule (MLFS) took effect in 2021, according to a new study. The study by the …

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