Expert Commentary

Latest Articles

Construction Safety

Eyewitnesses and Other Sources of Accident Data

Ron Prichard | August 1, 2003

The key to an incident investigation is data. Dr. Ron Prichard discusses the three principle sources needed to conduct a thorough construction accident investigation.

Catastrophe Risk Management

Understanding the Language of Seismic Risk Analysis

Nathan Gould | July 1, 2003

Even for those in the industry, the terminology used in the evolving field of seismic risk analysis can be confusing. Nathan Gould provides some definitions and clarifications.

Internal Controls

Auditors and Risk Management

Matthew Leitch | July 1, 2003

Many do not understand the role of auditors. Matthew Leitch resolves the confusion by explaining how they work, where their weaknesses are, and what they contribute.

Workplace Violence Prevention

Don't Put Your Employees at Risk—How To Avoid Homicide in the Workplace

James Madero | July 1, 2003

Each year over 600 workers are murdered while at work. Dr. James Madero examines the situation and offers solutions.

Additional Insured Issues

How Does an Extrinsic Contract Impact Additional Insured Coverage?

Joseph Postel | July 1, 2003

Joe Postel discusses the soundness of recent court decisions from around the nation involving additional insured disputes and contracts between customers and CGL policyholders.

Reinsurance

To Commute or Not To Commute, That Is the Question

Larry Schiffer | July 1, 2003

The reinsurer's obligation to cede and pay claims continues many years after the termination of the contract, unless it is commuted. Larry Schiffer explains.

Design and Professional Liability

Insurer Uses Contractual Liability Exclusion to Deny Coverage

Kent Holland | June 28, 2003

In American Family Mutual Insurance v. Pleasant Company , the court's reasoning completely misconstrues the purpose of the contractual liability exclusion, Kent Holland explains.

Writing Tips for Insurance Professionals

Log Notes, Emails, and Bad Faith Lawsuits

Gary Blake | June 14, 2003

Gary Blake explains how poor writing skills can often be a determining factor in deciding whether an insurer has shown vexatious, unreasonable, or outrageous conduct in its claims handling.

Mediation

Sometimes during mediation, progress and negotiations are stalled due to one of the parties inability to act, a type of client paralysis. Mediation tactics, such as the "magical paradox" technique, can be used to help overcome this paralysis. Jeff Kichaven explains.

Enterprise Risk Management

Implementing Enterprise Risk Management: Getting the Fundamentals Right

Jerry Miccolis | June 1, 2003

Jerry Miccolis examines ERM fundamentals - objectives, scope, organization, and tools that companies can use to establish an ERM framework and implementation plan.