Litigation/Liability Trends
German Judge Challenges VW’s Defense in Diesel Damages Landmark Case
A German federal court judge cast doubt on Volkswagen's reasoning after the carmaker urged the court to dismiss a claim for damages brought by an owner of a diesel powered VW Sharan family van. ...
Rough Sailing Ahead for Cruise Ship Passengers Seeking COVID-19 Class Action Suits
After two passengers on their luxury cruise tested positive for Covid-19 in March, Emilio and Barbara Hernandez were so frantic to get off the ship, they wrote a note to the captain. The Costa ...
U.S. Small Businesses See Big Increase in Phishing Emails: Munich Re/HSB Survey
U.S. small businesses have experienced a worsening cyber vulnerability over the last year: Suspicious emails seeking money. Nearly 60 percent of business executives polled in a new survey from Munich ...
Criminal Liability Risks Loom for Some U.S. Firms Over Coronavirus Loans: Mnuchin
The U.S. Treasury Department will audit every loan for more than $2 million given under the Paycheck Protection Program for businesses hurt by the coronavirus fallout, Treasury Secretary Steven ...
Talc Lawsuits Against J&J Allowed to Proceed; Expert Testimony Limited
Thousands of plaintiffs who say that Johnson & Johnson's baby powder and talc products caused cancer can go forward with their claims, but face limits on what expert testimony will be allowed in ...
Workplaces Try Avoiding COVID-19 Liabilities With AI Cameras to Track Social Distancing
Stores and workplaces eager to avoid spreading the novel coronavirus are equipping existing security cameras with artificial intelligence software that can track compliance with health guidelines ...
White House Explores Liability Protections for Businesses Facing Coronavirus Claims
Donald Trump's top economic adviser said the administration will look at limiting liability for businesses over the spread of the coronavirus. "I think liability reforms and safeguards are going to ...
Plaintiffs’ Lawyers Should Not Read Coverage Into COVID IBNR: Berkley
Like other commercial insurers reporting first-quarter earnings, W.R. Berkley Corporation included a provision for COVID-19 related losses. But that doesn't mean the specialty insurer or the industry ...