Patricia Wells

Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana has introduced a bill to change the way third-party litigation funding is handled in U.S. courts. The new measure, called the Protecting Our Courts from Foreign Manipulation Act, aims to stop foreign governments and sovereign wealth funds from financing lawsuits in the United States. The bill comes with strong support … Read more

Ohio regulators have hit FirstEnergy, the Akron-based utility company, with more than $250 million in fines and refunds due to its role in a major bribery scandal tied to state politics. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) made the decision on Wednesday, marking another step in addressing the fallout from a scheme that first … Read more

Rising costs and changing expectations are shaking up how customers feel about insurance and mortgage companies, according to a recent study by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). The study looked at four industries: health insurance, life insurance, property and casualty insurance, and mortgage lenders. Life insurance came out on top with a score of … Read more

Insurance policy language is meant to be clear, but sometimes it gets twisted in ways that cause confusion and unfairness. George Reede, a partner at Zelle LLP, recently shared his thoughts on how insurance policy words are often misused, leading to misunderstandings and disputes. Early in his career, Reede recalls a meeting before a deposition … Read more

American International Group Inc. (AIG) surprised many last week when it abruptly ended its plan to hire John Neal as its new president, just before he was set to start the job. Neal, a well-known figure in the insurance world, was to lead AIG’s property and casualty division with a lucrative $17 million compensation package. … Read more

Doctors and nurses are quietly turning to artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT to help with their daily work, but this growing trend might be creating hidden risks for patient privacy. Recent research from the UK shows about one in five general practitioners use AI to draft notes or letters. While data from Canada is still … Read more

In a recent episode of IAT Insurance Group’s What’s Brewing Podcast, experts discussed how cameras and telematics are changing the trucking industry. Dewayne R., an IAT Loss Control Specialist, and Mark H., a Claims Analyst, joined host Nicole K. to share insights on the growing role of technology in accident investigations and driver protection. The … Read more

Flooding in Vietnam has claimed 43 lives after days of heavy rain soaked key regions in the central highlands and caused rising waters in popular tourist spots. The government says about 61,000 people have been evacuated, while more than half a million remain without electricity. Flash flood and landslide warnings are now in place for … Read more

The Trump administration has announced a major plan to expand oil and gas drilling in U.S. offshore waters, including areas off California’s coast. This move is part of former President Donald Trump’s push to boost domestic fossil fuel production. The announcement quickly drew sharp criticism from California’s Governor Gavin Newsom, who opposes any drilling along … Read more

Alliant Insurance Services has brought Tim Simokonis on board as senior vice president in its Southeast Employee Benefits Group. Based in Florida, Simokonis will work with clients across the country, focusing on self-funded health plans, improving data transparency, and optimizing fiduciary strategies. Simokonis brings over 18 years of experience to the role. He has a … Read more