Company Literature

Jul 31, 2020

Corporate Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives: Can Failure Lead to Litigation?

In light of recent racial-justice protests, many companies have shared their diversity and inclusion initiatives and policies to help address the underrepresentation of women and minorities in corporate leadership positions. In doing so, however, many companies have also found themselves subject to litigation for failing to enact meaningful change. Following a similar pattern, Qualcomm was recently named in a shareholder derivative lawsuit for failing to follow through on its diversity initiatives. The action against Qualcomm mirrors lawsuits filed against other companies such as Oracle and Facebook, where shareholders are demanding accountability in a company’s diversity and inclusion policies among its senior leadership and board members.

Jul 6, 2020

COVID-19 Workplace Safety

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 is commonly known as the General Duty Clause. The General Duty Clause is intended to give the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) authority to address workplace hazards for which no occupational safety standard currently exists. Examples include heat-related illness, workplace violence, and most recently, airborne transmissible disease (COVID-19). The General Duty Clause requires that “Every employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.” Certainly, recent events of the coronavirus pandemic have introduced new recognized hazards across many workplaces and employers are moving into new areas for safety programs and measures to effectively protect workers in this new environment of business re-opening and recovery.

Jun 25, 2020

Proactive Preparation for Civil Unrest and Rioting

The ability to gather and peacefully protest is a long-standing and treasured American tradition. License for citizens to express dissent and call for actual or perceived wrongs to be remedied is among the cornerstones of the American democratic system. Occasionally, emotion and fervor may escalate the peaceful protest into civil disorder and chaos. Any number of events can prompt civil disorder and the ensuing violence and damage to property is, in many cases, significant. Riot, vandalism, looting, and arson can result in catastrophic level insurance losses for individuals, property owners, and business operators.

Jun 22, 2020

Navigating Hurricane Season with Beecher Carlson

As of mid-June 2020, three named storms, Arthur, Bertha, and Cristobal, have formed in the Atlantic. The first two occurred prior to the official June 1 start of the annual Atlantic hurricane season, and the third became a named storm shortly thereafter. With these early season storms and predictions for an above-normal hurricane season, it is important to prepare. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center, we can expect “13 to 19 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 6 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher).”

Jun 18, 2020

COVID-19: Best Practices on Claims Reporting

By Vivian Chen and Christina Wunsch COVID-19 has had a crippling effect on nearly all sectors of the economy. From business interruptions, furloughs, and shutdowns to permanent reductions in staff due to decreased demand, certain industries will be reeling from the effect of the virus for a while. Given the unprecedented way these events […]

Jun 18, 2020

Face Shields

Face shields provide barrier protection to the facial area and related mucous membranes (eyes, nose, lips) and are considered an alternative to goggles. Face shields are not meant to function as primary respiratory protection. They should be used concurrently with a medical mask (for droplet precautions) or a respirator (for airborne precautions) if an aerosol-generating procedure is performed. They should cover the forehead, extend below the chin, and wrap around the side of the face. Face shields are available in both disposable and reusable options.

Jun 8, 2020

[Live Stream] Family Offices in the Era of COVID-19: Changing Investment Strategies, Challenges, and Opportunities

June 25, 2020 • 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EDT You’ve likely heard the phrase, “If you know one family office … you know one family office.” The meaning is clear: generalizations about family offices are shaky and unproductive. Each family office is unique and reflects the priorities, philosophies, and strategic visions of the individuals and family behind it; however, many family offices share a common set of characteristics that inform their responses to the challenges – and opportunities – of investing, including investing during periods of significant market dislocation like the one propagated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Join Beecher Carlson’s Joe Ehrlich and Jason Flaxbeard for a one-hour live stream exploring how family offices are responding to this unprecedented market dislocation.

Jun 1, 2020

COVID-19 Data Collection: Potential Policy Coverage Issues

There are differing opinions concerning returning to work and reopening the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in strong opposition and division. As governments and the private sector move forward, data will be key – not only to understand the persistency and resilience of the virus but to also determine who is currently infected, who was exposed, who possesses anti-bodies or potential immunity, and who is more susceptible to the virus as we return to the workplace. This may involve testing, temperature screening, immunity certification, and contact tracing to keep workplaces, employees, customers, and vendors safe.

May 29, 2020

Aligning Your Risk Financing with Your Risk Appetite

In today’s highly competitive, margin-stressed market, it pays to explore the alternatives to traditional insurance. Too often insurance brokers focus on the risk/reward trade-off between higher retentions and premium savings without any regard to an organization’s ability to absorb risk. This often leads to an inefficient and costly risk financing strategy that can leave an organization under-insured and paying too much in insurance premiums.

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