risk management

August 27, 2024

The Risks of Severe Convective Storms

Severe convective storms can cause injuries, infrastructure damage and significant financial losses for businesses and their commercial properties. Often accompanied by hail, flooding, strong winds, lightning and abrupt temperature shifts, they are among the costliest types of natural disasters, according to industry research. To reduce potential losses and improve safety, employers should understand the risks...

August 22, 2024

Recent and Upcoming U.S. Supreme Court Cases Employers Should Monitor

In its 2023-24 term, the U.S. Supreme Court issued several consequential decisions that will likely have a significant impact on employers. These cases involved federal agency power, discrimination until Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (Title VII), whistleblower retaliation and arbitration. The Supreme Court’s next term, which starts Oct. 7, 2024, will also decide...

August 21, 2024

5 Risks of Hiring an Uninsured Contractor

Project owners or general contractors must carefully vet contractors to ensure jobsite safety and financial security. A critical factor in this selection process is verifying that contractors carry adequate insurance. Hiring uninsured contractors can expose a project to significant risks, including safety hazards, liability issues and potential financial losses. The following are five risks associated...

August 16, 2024

Managing Common Risks for Condominium and Community Associations

Condominium and community associations carry out several essential tasks and responsibilities, such as ensuring the facilities are maintained properly or managing the budget appropriately. However, these entities also face numerous risks. As such, they need to be aware of their exposures to enhance community safety and financial stability. This article provides more information on the...

July 25, 2024

CAL/OSHA Indoor Heat Requirements Update

On June 20, 2024, the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board approved California Code of Regulations, Title 8, section 3396, “Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment”. This standard applies to most workplaces where the indoor temperature reaches 82°F. It establishes required safety measures for indoor workplaces to prevent worker exposure to risk of heat...

July 22, 2024

California Enacts New Workers’ Compensation Poster Requirements

On July 15, 2024, California enacted Assembly Bill 1870, requiring employers to notify injured workers that they can consult with a licensed attorney regarding their rights under workers’ compensation laws. This law becomes effective on Jan. 1, 2025. Overview of the New Posting Requirements California’s workers’ compensation laws generally require covered employers to post a notice...

July 9, 2024

2024 Midyear Market Outlook: Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Profitable underwriting results have generated favorable conditions across the workers’ compensation insurance market for nearly a decade. According to the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI), the segment produced combined ratios of 84.5 and 84.9 in 2022 and 2023, respectively, demonstrating continued profitability. Industry experts initially reported that reserve redundancies stemming from reduced presumptive liability...

July 8, 2024

OSHA Proposes Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Standard

On July 2, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced an unofficial version of the proposed standard to protect workers from heat injury and illness. If finalized, the new standard would apply to all employers conducting indoor and outdoor work in all general industry, construction, maritime and agricultural...

July 3, 2024

2024 Midyear Market Outlook: Cyber Insurance

Heightened claim frequency and severity have created a volatile cyber insurance market in recent years, with most policyholders facing ongoing premium increases. Fortunately, the segment experienced underwriting profitability in 2022, allowing conditions to soften in 2023. Yet, many insureds are still experiencing coverage restrictions, underwriting scrutiny and exclusions for certain losses. In 2024, a report...

July 2, 2024

CMR Webinar: California PAGA Updates

Join us for an insightful webinar co-hosted by CMR Risk and Eric De Wames, Employment Law Managing Partner at Michael Sullivan & Associates, where we delve into the intricacies of California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) claims. Governor Newsom’s office recently announced a much needed and long-awaited agreement to reform PAGA. The proposed changes aim...