January 29, 2013 – Independent rating agency A. M. Best has revised its credit rating outlook of American General Life from “stable” to “positive” according to last week’s press release on the topic. American General is one of the four domestic life/health subsidies impacted by this action taken on parent company American International Group, Inc….
January 27, 2013 – With the Superbowl only a week away, the future of the sport is coming into question because of the seriousness of the injuries some players have suffered. Just this past week, the family of former San Diego Chargers star linebacker Tiaina Baul “Junior” Seau, Jr. filed a multi-count lawsuit against the…
January 22, 2013 – The first trial in the nation involving the recalled ASR artificial hip implant devices, manufactured by DePuy Orthopaedics, is scheduled to begin this week in a California court room according to today’s Wall Street Journal. Tomorrow’s Washington Post includes some interesting details about the pre-trial expert testimony on the case styled…
Don’t Sweat the Big Stuff January 21, 2013 – There are few golfers on tour more popular than Phil Michelson. Movie star good looks. Four major championships. Second on the “all-time money” list of tournament prize money won. Endorsements through the roof. And apparently it’s the latter that’s finally catching up to Lefty. According to Sports…
January 16, 2013 – Yesterday’s CNN/Money column “California Shale Boom Possible” was a timely article for us to remind our clients about a money-saving option available to those who lease their land for oil and gas exploration. In August of 2011 we announced the availability of a new application of the structured settlement concept designed…
January 10, 2012 – The lawsuit against artificial hip manufacturer DePuy Orthopaedics (Moira Jackson v. DePuy Orthopaedics) scheduled for trial in Prince George’s County, Maryland this past week ended when the plaintiff dropped her lawsuit just after jury selection was concluded according to Bloomberg. According to some web reports which have yet to be confirmed,…
Tax Deal Could Bring Unwelcome Surprises January 7, 2013 – While those earning less than $400,000 ($450,000 for married couples) may be breathing a collective sigh of relief because Congress made their tax brackets “permanent” on New Year’s Day, a little digging reveals that maybe they shouldn’t sigh too deeply. Not just yet anyway. According…
January 4, 2013 – According to various sources, the first state trial in the United States involving the much maligned DePuy ASR artificial hip is scheduled to go out on Monday, January 7, 2013 in Prince George County, Maryland. While industry insiders will be watching this state trial with great interest, more interest will likely…
December 20, 2012 – While car safety has generally improved in recent years, a new, more specific, crash test designed and administered by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), revealed that eight of eleven luxury and near luxury cars weren’t up to the challenge. They flunked the test. This new test, which replicates certain…
88% of $7.1 Million Award Attributed to Punitive Damages November 3, 2012 – Defense contractor KBR was recently found negligent by an Oregon jury for “knowingly” exposing National Guard soldiers to toxic chemicals while they were serving their country in Iraq according to CNN. Each plaintiff was awarded $850,000 in non-economic damages and $6.25 Million…