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Blog - CGWC
Orlando, Florida
Insurance Companies Gouging Consumers? - Wednesday, January 31, 2007
More and more, critics of the insurance industry are saying that insurers are gouging consumers while running away from increased risks along America's coastline. This has been evident in Tallahasee this legistlative session as Governor Crist and the largely Republican, and historic insurance industry allied, legislature wrestle with how to force insurance carriers to deal more even-handedly with Florida consumers.
Fueling this firestorm, Allstate Insurance Company, the second largest writer of personal lines policies in America (State Farm is the largest), just reported that its fourth quarter profits in 2006 rose 17% to a record of $ 1.21 Billion.
Fueling this firestorm, Allstate Insurance Company, the second largest writer of personal lines policies in America (State Farm is the largest), just reported that its fourth quarter profits in 2006 rose 17% to a record of $ 1.21 Billion.
Truck Accidents Kill Or Injure Thousands In Florida - Saturday, January 27, 2007
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation there were 389 large trucks involved in fatal accidents in 2005 in the State of Florida. These truck accidents resulted in 406 deaths. There were over 4,500 large trucks involved in non-fatal Florida truck accidents. About 3,000 large truck accidents resulted in injuries in Florida, and almost 5200 people were injured in those Florida truck accidents.
For those injured or the families of those who are killed in truck accidents, choosing an attorney experienced in litigation against trucking companies is critical when seeking justice and compensation. The insuring arrangements, employment and lease contracts, trucking company policies and procedures, and federal and state trucking regulations governing the trucking industry are complex and confusing. An attorney's knowledge and experience in dealing with the trucking industry and its many varied forms is critical to successful resolution of personal injury and wrongful death claims in these tragic cases. Legal representation in a trucking accident requires far more skill and knowledge of the trucking industry and its standards and practices, than in a run of the mill automobile accident. Only a trained and experienced truck accident attorney can properly and thoroughly investigate a serious tractor trailer accident.
Be sure you have an attorney with real experience investigating and prosecuting trucking companies, drivers, and truck accidents if you or a loved one are involved in an accident with a tractor trailor or other large truck.
For those injured or the families of those who are killed in truck accidents, choosing an attorney experienced in litigation against trucking companies is critical when seeking justice and compensation. The insuring arrangements, employment and lease contracts, trucking company policies and procedures, and federal and state trucking regulations governing the trucking industry are complex and confusing. An attorney's knowledge and experience in dealing with the trucking industry and its many varied forms is critical to successful resolution of personal injury and wrongful death claims in these tragic cases. Legal representation in a trucking accident requires far more skill and knowledge of the trucking industry and its standards and practices, than in a run of the mill automobile accident. Only a trained and experienced truck accident attorney can properly and thoroughly investigate a serious tractor trailer accident.
Be sure you have an attorney with real experience investigating and prosecuting trucking companies, drivers, and truck accidents if you or a loved one are involved in an accident with a tractor trailor or other large truck.
State Farm Sues Florida Hospital - Thursday, January 25, 2007
Florida's largest automobile insurer, State Farm, has sued the state's largest hospital corporation, Florida Hospital, alleging excessive and unreasonable billing to automobile accident victims. The suit claims Florida Hospital marks up its charges by 225% to 1000% to automobile accident victims, causing State Farm to pay excessive medical charges for its policyholders under its autmobile no-fault coverage required in Florida, which for many years has required companies to issue policies with $ 10,000 in coverage for medical bills and lost wages caused by auto accidents.
The real story behind this headline is the war that some insurers will be waging this year over the sunset, or expiration, of the no fault law. State Farm does not want this law renewed and wants injured victims to be required to rely on their own health insurance or the liability coverage of the driver at fault. The problem with that is that a huge percentage of drivers carry little or no liability insurance, and many citizens of Florida have no health insurance coverage or poor coverage. This could leave the taxpayers and Medicaid system footing the bill for large numbers of accident victims. Another story behind this headline is that hospitals are coming under increasing attack nationwide for charging uninsured patients far more than they charge the insurance companies who insure those fortunate enough to have health insurance.
State Farm insures 3 million cars in Florida. Florida Hospital is the state's largest hospital chain and runs approximately 30 facilites statewide. The public should follow this battle of the gargantuan and politically powerful companies closely. If the no fault law is allowed to expire, the legislature must require all drivers to carry certain minimum levels of liability insurance coverage and mandatory uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage to protect the citizens of Florida and the public from injuries caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers.
The real story behind this headline is the war that some insurers will be waging this year over the sunset, or expiration, of the no fault law. State Farm does not want this law renewed and wants injured victims to be required to rely on their own health insurance or the liability coverage of the driver at fault. The problem with that is that a huge percentage of drivers carry little or no liability insurance, and many citizens of Florida have no health insurance coverage or poor coverage. This could leave the taxpayers and Medicaid system footing the bill for large numbers of accident victims. Another story behind this headline is that hospitals are coming under increasing attack nationwide for charging uninsured patients far more than they charge the insurance companies who insure those fortunate enough to have health insurance.
State Farm insures 3 million cars in Florida. Florida Hospital is the state's largest hospital chain and runs approximately 30 facilites statewide. The public should follow this battle of the gargantuan and politically powerful companies closely. If the no fault law is allowed to expire, the legislature must require all drivers to carry certain minimum levels of liability insurance coverage and mandatory uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage to protect the citizens of Florida and the public from injuries caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers.
Medical Malpractice Crisis Hoax - Saturday, January 20, 2007
According to a report recently released by Public Citizen, the business, insurance, and health care industries have been misleading lawmakers and the public about their "medical malpractice crisis." Public Citizen says a very small group of doctors who make most of the mistakes is responsible for the belief in the U.S. that there is a "medical malpractice crisis."
While the vast majority (82%) of doctors have not had a medical malpractice payment since 1990, only 5.9 % of the physicians in the U.S. were responsible for 57.8 % of the medical malpractice payments between 1991 and 2005.
So, insurance and healthcare industry lobbyists mislead both the public and lawmakers when they claim lawsuit abuse when lobbying legislatures to limit how much injured malpractice victims can be awarded.
A few bad apples have caused the perception that the whole bunch is spoiled. And injured victims have been blamed while insurance companies have reaped record profits for decades.
While the vast majority (82%) of doctors have not had a medical malpractice payment since 1990, only 5.9 % of the physicians in the U.S. were responsible for 57.8 % of the medical malpractice payments between 1991 and 2005.
So, insurance and healthcare industry lobbyists mislead both the public and lawmakers when they claim lawsuit abuse when lobbying legislatures to limit how much injured malpractice victims can be awarded.
A few bad apples have caused the perception that the whole bunch is spoiled. And injured victims have been blamed while insurance companies have reaped record profits for decades.
Hospital Infections 8th Leading Cause of Death - Friday, January 12, 2007
Hospital acquired infections are the 8th leading cause of death in the U.S. Approximately 2 million people acquire infections in hospitals each year. One of every 20 people admitted to hospitals get infections, delaying their recovery, requiring lengthy intravenous antibiotic treatment, or worse. About 90,000 of them a year die.There is virtually no debate about what it takes to prevent infections in hospitals. Patients should be given antibiotics before surgery as a prophylactic measure to prevent infections after operations. Catheters should not be overused for the sake of convenience of the nursing staff. And perhaps most importantly, hospital staff must remember that these bacteria are mostly spread by touch. Caregivers MUST wash their hands before any hands on care that might spread infection. Nurses and doctors should not touch doorknobs, cabinets, curtains, blood pressure cuffs, or other unsanitary surfaces once they have scrubbed or gloved. Unfortunately, research suggests that health care workers fails to wash their hands as recommended more than half the time. Handwashing was identified as a critical method of preventing infection 160 years ago, too often hospital staff are less than diligent in obeying this cardinal rule. Too many staff become complacent and rely on the effectiveness of antibiotics rather than following these gold standard methods of preventing infection.
Dangerous Way to Travel - Saturday, January 06, 2007
Every morning when you get in your car to go to work or take the kids to school, you are truly taking the lives of all your car's occupants in your own hands. If you believe this is an overstatement, consider this.The first death from an automobile accident was documented in 1899. Since then, more than 30 million people worldwide have died in auto accidents.
Automobile accidents are the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 3 and 33, according to a recent study. On average, an automobile accident causes one death every 12 minutes on our streets and highways. In 2005, about 119 people died each day in auto accidents.
Think of these statistics each time you get behind the wheel. Consider them for a moment and think about how much you love your family. Then, pay attention, be careful, and drive defensively
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New Year Holiday Results In 15 Traffic Deaths - Friday, January 05, 2007
The Florida Highway Patrol released statistics of the 72 hour New Year Holiday weekend, and there were 15 death on Florida highways over the holiday period. Most were not alcohol related. This busy time of the year is one of the most dangerous times of the year to be on the road.New Motorcycle Helmet Law - Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Effective this year, all cyclists under 21 years of age must wear a helmet at all times. Recent changes in state law still permit the helmetless operation of motorcycles by bikers 21 and older if certain special insurance coverage is purchased. The new law requires motorcyclists under the age of 21 to use distinctive license plates so that law enforcement officers can quickly identify them as riders subject to this new mandatory helmet law.
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