Ohio Jury Says American Family Mutual Agents Are Employees

By Stephanie K. Jones A federal jury in Ohio decided last week determined that thousands of agents with Madison, Wisconsin-based American Family Mutual Insurance (AmFam) are employees, not independent contractors. According to a news release from plaintiff attorneys involved in the case, a jury … Read More Read more here:: Insurance Journal       

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Chubb’s Schellinkhout Joins Woodruff-Sawyer in Pacific Northwest

By Don Jergler Woodruff-Sawyer & Co. has named Melissa Schellinkhout has vice president and Northwest practice director. Schellinkhout will be responsible for oversight of property/casualty operations in the Pacific Northwest, including the firm’s Portland, Ore. and Seattle, Wash. offices. She will also manage … Read More Read more here:: Insurance Journal       

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Judge: Exxon Must Pay $20M for Emissions from Texas Plant

By Stephanie K. Jones A judge has ordered Exxon Mobil to pay a penalty of nearly $20 million for releasing 10 million pounds of pollutants into the air over the course of eight years from a complex it operates east of Houston. U.S. District … Read More Read more here:: Insurance Journal       

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Dodge City Community College Wins Kansas Don’t Text #Just Drive Contest

By Stephanie K. Jones Dodge City Community College (DCCC) received the most votes by percentage of students enrolled to win the Kansas community college “Don’t Text #Just Drive” spring contest March 15-April 16, sponsored in part by the state insurance department. The Kansas Insurance … Read More Read more here:: Insurance Journal       

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Ex-Fire Academy Manager Pleads Guilty in Iowa Test Scandal

By Stephanie K. Jones A former Iowa fire academy administrator has pleaded guilty to falsifying test scores that were used to improperly certify thousands of firefighters. Former Fire Services Training Bureau certification manager John McPhee pleaded guilty to felony misconduct in office. Judge James … Read More Read more here:: Insurance Journal       

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Unions Remind U.S.: 150 Workers Die Every Day from Job Injuries, Illnesses

By Andrew G. Simpson In 2015, 150 workers died from preventable work-related injuries and illnesses every day in the United States, on average, according to a report, Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect, released by the AFL-CIO. The union said 4,836 workers … Read More Read more here:: Insurance Journal       

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Munich Re’s Primary Carrier, ERGO, Explores China Digital Business

By L.S. Howard ERGO, Munich Re’s troubled primary insurance company, is making a digital push in the massive Chinese market. Mark Klein, ERGO’s chief digital officer, recently visited China to explore how the insurer can partner on data with Chinese companies, such as the … Read More Read more here:: Insurance Journal       

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Oregon Judge Dismisses $4M Suit in Family Drowning

By Don Jergler A judge has dismissed a $4 million lawsuit filed by a relative of four people who drowned in a northwest Oregon lake in 2014. The Oregonian/OregonLive reported Judge Andrew Erwin dismissed the suit after Washington County argued it was entitled … Read More Read more here:: Insurance Journal       

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Asbestos Removal At Nevada Site to Cost $53K

By Don Jergler A small city in northern Nevada is moving forward with the demolition of its old police station. The Elko Daily Free Press reported the Elko City Council is considering awarding a $53,000 bid to a company to remove asbestos from … Read More Read more here:: Insurance Journal       

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