The nation's property and casualty insurers reported capital gains of $1.1 billion in the first quarter of 2003, representing a $725 million, or 181 percent, increase over the $400 million recorded during the same period last year, according to Weiss Ratings, Inc., the nation's leading independent provider of ratings and analyses of financial services companies, mutual funds, and stocks. Companies within the Berkshire-Hathaway group accounted for 62.8 percent of the industry's total first-quarter capital gains, earning $706.9 million. 

Occupational exposures to respirable crystalline silica occur in a variety of industries and occupations because of its extremely common natural occurrence and the wide uses of materials and products that contain it. At least 1.7 million U.S. workers are potentially exposed to respirable crystalline silica [NIOSH 1991], and many are exposed to concentrations that exceed limits defined by current regulations and standards.

 Jumpp v. City of Ventnor--Trip to the post office noncompensable deviation--PORITZ, C.J., writing for a majority of the Court. In this case, the Court determines whether a city worker, whose daily activities required him to visit various sites within the city's boundaries, is eligible for workers' compensation benefits when he was accidentally injured during the workday but while on a personal errand.

 California Court Finds Exclusivity Rule Did Not Bar A Malicious Prosecution Action Against Liberty Mutual

Latex: NE Sp Ct finds petitioner totally & permanently disabled Morris v. Nebraska Health System, S-01-1194, 266 Neb. 285

CALIFORNIA--Calif. workers compensation fund runs low on cash. 

Calif. workers compensation fund runs low on cash.

Action is needed immediately to stop this legislation. This legislation may go to a US Senate floor vote any day after September 1st, 2003. You are urged to call your US Senators today!  

ASBESTOS - US Senate Judiciary Committee epected to hold final vote Thu July 10, 2003 With a limited Federal Asbestos Trust Funds available, a question now arises whather this will add economic insult to insurance companies and State fund. 

 “Victims forgotten in asbestos proposal” Under Senator Hatch’s Forgiving Asbestos Industry Responsibility Act

US Senate Releases Genetic Non-Discrimination Bill "Today our committee considers important legislation to prevent discrimination on the basis of gen...

Those Closest to the WTC Site on Sept. 11, 2001 or the Weeks and Months that Followed are Urged to Call 311 or visit www.wtcregistry.org  The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) announced today that more than 6,500 people from 45 states and eight countries have signed up to be enrolled in the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Registry since its launch last Friday, September 5.

Congoleum Corporation (AMEX:CGM) reported today that it has executed certain amendments to the settlement agreement it entered into on April 10, 2003 with attorneys representing more than 75% of the known present claimants with asbestos claims pending against Congoleum and certain ancillary agreements relating to that settlement agreement. The amendments provide additional time for parties to review and respond to information required in order to participate in the settlement.

I thank Chairman Hatch for calling this hearing on the asbestos litigation crisis, the third that the Committee has had since I convened the first one last September. Last fall, I hoped to begin a bipartisan dialogue about the best means for providing fair and efficient compensation to the current victims and those yet to come. My message today is simple: To end this crisis we need to re-start negotiations among the stakeholders and interested Senators to finish hammering out the details of an effective national trust fund for victims of asbestos-related disease. 

 Vermiculite is a mineral that expands when rapidly heated. Expanded vermiculite is used in construction and consumer materials (e.g., loose-fill insulation, acoustic finishes, spray-on insulation, and concrete mixes for swimming pools), agricultural and horticultural products (e.g., potting mixes and soil conditioners) and in industrial products (e.g., brake shoes and pads, drilling muds, furnaces, and insulation blocks). Expanded vermiculite granules are shaped like small accordions, and vary in color from silver/gold to gray/brown.

 Asbestos compensation legislation introduced by Senator Hatch is a regressive measure that relieves manufacturers, employers and insurers of liability and fails to provide fair compensation to victims of asbestos disease.

The AFL-CIO is deeply disappointed by Senator Orrin Hatch’s decision to introduce a weak asbestos bill at this time, when negotiations between the interested parties were continuing. The business and insurance communities had promised to make a new offer to the AFL-CIO in negotiations today, but announced this morning that they have been instructed by Senator Hatch to cease their private negotiations with the labor movement. 

 The federal government today launched a national consumer awareness campaign to provide homeowners with important information on vermiculite attic insulation, which may contain asbestos. This new campaign, coordinated by EPA and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), instructs homeowners on how to identify vermiculite attic insulation and recommends that people make every effort to not disturb it. Since some vermiculite attic insulation can contain very low levels of microscopic asbestos fibers, it is important that consumers are aware of the precautions they can take to protect against disturbing and inhaling the asbestos fibers.

Asbestos Verdict in California Case Worries Insurers A jury verdict in California may lead to a wave of new asbestos litigation that would greatly increase costs for insurance companies,industry experts and plaintiffs' lawyers said yesterday.