The federal health care legislative agenda is becoming more congested as Congress returns from its summer break. As we transition into the autumn season, the focus of energy tightens on September 30, in an effort to prevent a shutdown of the federal government before the October 1 commencement of the fiscal year 2024. Additionally, key…
Disputes involving ownership interests frequently come up in the realm of closely held corporations. These conflicts are particularly common when a company’s directors, officers or majority shareholders are buying or selling ownership interests. According to the firm Farella Braun + Martel in an article originally published in Private Company Director, these individuals are held to…
In recent years, the instances of artificial intelligence, particularly chatbots like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, being employed within legal practice have significantly surged. Since its launch in November 2022, this chatbot has gained considerable attention and usage due to its advanced abilities, such as answering inquiries and creating written content in a remarkably human-like manner. However, questions…
In a recent article published on JD Supra, authors Lynda A. Bennett and Eric Jesse from Lowenstein Sandler LLP, eradicated common misconceptions surrounding Reps & Warranties Insurance (RWI). Despite its growing popularity, ill-informed notions about this insurance product persistently weave themselves into legal conversations. One widely held belief is that RWI is an expensive, unsuitable…
In the case of Cruz v. Fanoush, 183 N.Y.S.3d 320 (Mem), the New York Appellate Division, 2nd Department upheld a trial court’s denial of the plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment. The plaintiff had filed a personal injury claim after being involved in a motor vehicle incident, pursuing litigations on matters of liability and whether the…
United Healthcare Insurance Company (“United”), one of the premier national payors, agreed to an $80,000 settlement in late August with the Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”). This resolution relates to OCR’s Right of Access initiative, the agenda pushing for patients to have timely access to their health information. As part…
Florida’s unique legal framework offers distinctive tools for insurance companies, among them, the 120-day pay and investigate rule. This rule is particularly instrumental in situations where an insurance claim raises questions requiring in-depth investigation. As stipulated by Florida law, when a workers’ compensation claim is made, insurance companies are obligated to either accept or deny…
In July 2023, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) released a critical document: GST/HST Notice 325. This Notice pertains to services provided by certain insurance intermediaries and puts into effect a key shift in how the CRA approaches the taxable status of commissions and other considerations made payable to insurance intermediaries. This change notably impacts Third…
Bienville Orthopaedic Specialists LLC (BOS) recently reported a significant data breach that resulted in the exposure of sensitive user data, including social security numbers, possibly affecting almost 240,000 individuals. The company released a notice of this breach after registers of unauthorized access to their IT network came to light. A notification about this alarming security…
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) convened for its 2023 Summer National Meeting this year between August 12 to 16, set amid the picturesque backdrop of Seattle, Washington. It seemed fitting, given the virtualization of many such conferences and gatherings over the past few years, that many of the NAIC’s relevant working groups and…
American International Group (AIG) has recently announced an executive promotion that is sure to create a buzz in legal circles: Lucy Fato has been elevated to Vice Chair, a newly created position at the insurance giant. Recognized as a significant player in AIG’s continued success, Fato’s promotion marks her transition from her former post as…
Under the provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), corporate and law firm leaders are urged to consider reducing their employees’ premiums. Recent calculations reveal that, to maintain the affordability of your plan as stipulated by the ACA, modifications on the financial aspect may be required. According to an informative article by Bricker Graydon LLP,…
In a forthcoming webinar scheduled for September 26th from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm ET, professionals will be addressing the implications divorce can have on estate planning, a crucial area often overlooked during the divorce process. One of the dramatic impacts of divorce involves the beneficiary designations for life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and other…
In the litigation landscape, understanding when a cause of action accrues for Statute of Limitations purposes is imperative. However, clarity on this issue was brought to light in the recent case of Bennett v. Ohio Nat’l Life Assur. Corp., 92 Cal. App. 5th 723. The California Court of Appeal offered insights on when the statute…
In a recent move by the International Federation of the Red Cross, law firm Reed Smith has been enlisted to set up an insurance and reinsurance facility. The aim is to use this facility as a means of providing additional financial support to their disaster response actions. Law.com reports. Providing advice on various aspects including…
The United Kingdom-based global law firm, DAC Beachcroft (DACB), has established an association with Incisive Law, a Singapore firm which was previously associated with Ince Group. The partnership forms part of DACB’s expansion plans, as it builds upon its Singapore office, established in 2011. Incisive Law also hired a new partner from Rajah & Tann…
In a projected seminar titled ‘Building Resiliency Into the Construction Industry’, the focus has been set on resilience in the construction industry, particularly in the context of South Florida. The seminar is scheduled for September 7th, in Miami, FL. To delve a little deeper, resilience in this industry typically refers to a building’s or infrastructure…
Beginning April 1, 2024, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) will implement new rules for “Trust Accounts”, thus significantly increasing the level of insurance coverage for many types of trust deposit accounts, according to JD Supra. In essence, the upcoming changes mean that the majority of trust owners will be insured up to $250,000 per…
As the scrutiny around the pricing of prescription drugs persists, the entire drug supply chain is under rigorous review. In an effort to find ways to reduce costs for patients and the federal government alike, discussions about reforms to Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are gaining momentum. As pivotal components in the drug supply chain, PBMs…
The ball seems to be in motion for significant reform within the United States’ regulatory framework governing the cannabis industry. A pivotal recommendation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has ignited possibilities for the amendment of federal laws related to cannabis, including a proposal to reschedule the drug from a Schedule…
In late 2022 and moving into 2023, pivotal changes have been brought about in Florida’s insurance laws, specifically those regarding bad-faith claims in insurance coverage litigation. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed two key pieces of legislation into effect, with far-reaching implications for legal professionals in the field. The first of these was Senate Bill 2A…
In a recent decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, it was declared that no insurance coverage was available for a lawsuit as the insured party did not provide timely notice to the insurer. This ruling is noteworthy for legal professionals working with commercial clients who have adopted successive claims-made…
A highly informative webinar titled ‘Loading and Unloading Under GL and Auto Policies: 2023’ is on the horizon. The event is scheduled for September 12th, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm EST. The webinar will be led by Goldberg Segalla’s Ashlyn M. Capote and Adam R. Durst. As top legal professionals, they will be offering…
As 2023 progresses, the Directors and Officers (D&O) insurance market continues to soften, with significant implications for both buyers and insurance providers. According to a report by JD Supra, approximately 91% of clients have experienced a decrease in their renewal costs during the first half of the year. Furthermore, Self-insured retentions have also been steadily…
In the recent seismic legal developments of this week, Senator Whitehouse casts doubt on Chief Justice John Roberts’ willingness to act, following Justice Sam Alito’s alleged violation of ethics rules. Alito admitted his breach with seeming impunity. This claim has elicited quite the reaction in the legal sphere and provoked Senator Whitehouse’s statement on Roberts’…