Blog

Lana Keppel, our Senior Vice President recently weighed in on a feature article for The Summit. The article focused on top environmental market challenges and opportunities for manufacturing accounts, including sustainability and environmental consciousness.

If you find yourself wondering, “what even is a Nuclear Verdict anyway?” no need to worry, we’ve got you covered.

A nuclear verdict can be defined as: an exceptionally high award that surpasses what should be a reasonable or rational amount.

More often than not, a nuclear verdict will provoke an automatic and intense response of shock, far more so than your average trial outcome which could simply be summed up as unfavorable.

The anchoring effect is defined as: a cognitive bias that describes the common human tendency to rely too heavily on the first piece of information given.

It’s a proven psychological technique that’s gaining serious popularity within present day trials, and is widely known to be enhanced by repetition. And aside from being able to persuade a jury, psychologists have determined that this technique also works on judges and people in positions of power.

Our own Joaquín Neira, Vice President for Latin America, was asked by El Asegurador Magazine, one of Mexico’s top insurance publications, to shed some light on the growth of Environmental Liability insurance.

Topics he was asked about range from the industry’s performance in Latin America to the evolution of client expectations when dealing with an unexpected event.

Accidents can happen anywhere, at any time. Although we can’t control when or how an accident arises, we can control the aftermath and we do hold the power in our hands as to the extent to which an accident (or its repercussions) affects those in its wake.

Just as you care immensely for those who belong to your organization, we hold that same regard for every member of the Berkley family – including you and yours. After an accident, it’s our objective as your Carrier to work with you to reach the safest, most effective course of action. We don’t just believe in two-way relationships, we practice them daily. And we aim to provide our customers with the confidence and protocol knowledge to handle whatever comes their way, starting with the top of command – the Employers.

We know. You’re probably thinking “Ah, jeez… not this again.” And we get it. At first glance, Workers Compensation may be seen as an intimidating and complex process to understand. But, hear us out… whether this is your grassroots experience learning about Workers Compensation or you’re a seasoned Insurer looking for a quick refresh, our goal is simply to break down its key elements, and supply you with the knowledge needed to deal with such proceedings confidently.

Are you aware that the cost of Employee Accident Claims grows exponentially as time goes on? Unfortunately, yes, this is true, and backed by loads of evidence to prove it. Let’s dive into some key reporting requirements, as well as some tips as to how you can avoid costly fines in the long run.

The safety and well-being of your employees is always your number one priority. But even with all the safety measures you have in place, an accident could still occur. The following can help make sure you stay on track when reporting any injury that might have been sustained as a result of an accident, as well as filing your Workers Compensation Claim. Please keep in mind: the information below applies to New York and New Jersey specifically.

New York Timeline

A little bit of legal background – California Workers Compensation differs from others in that it has more informal, relaxed pleadings and rules of evidence. There’s also no early resolution of cases, mechanisms for motions, summary judgement or dismissals unless all parties stipulate. So, the average length of a litigated claim is 18 months, and the Insurance Carrier is given 90 days to accept or deny the claim. And, failure to report a claim on time can lead to it being presumed compensable without the ability to deny.