A contractor is contesting two “serious” violations and nearly $10,000 in proposed federal workplace safety fines in the partial collapse of a bridge that was being dismantled and rebuilt northwestern Pennsylvania. Clarion-based contractor Francis J. Palo Inc. is contesting the … Source: Claims Journal

A civil trial set to start this month in New York City will test the legal boundaries of hundreds of claims remaining against General Motors Co. stemming from faulty ignition switches. The case involves an Oklahoma man who blames a … Source: Claims Journal

Officials raised the number of tornadoes that swept across North Texas over the weekend to 10, with preliminary figures showing the twisters caused $1.2 billion worth of insured damage. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that the Insurance Council of Texas … Source: Claims Journal

The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled that laws protecting consumers from deceptive practices don’t apply to insurance company repair estimates. The court made that ruling on Tuesday in the case involving a Columbus insurer, voting 5-2 to overturn a lower … Source: Claims Journal

Chinese authorities blamed freak weather for the capsizing of a cruise ship that killed hundreds earlier this year, but also recommended that the captain be further investigated and representatives of the shipping company and local authorities be punished for management … Source: Claims Journal

Western Tennessee and Kentucky are still facing flood threats as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Tennessee Valley Authority work to control water levels. The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory for the Cumberland River at Dover through … Source: Claims Journal

An Evansville couple is keeping up a decadelong legal fight over their claims of medical malpractice in their daughter’s birth that left her a quadriplegic and unable to speak. A Vanderburgh County jury in 2013 awarded $15 million in damages … Source: Claims Journal

Of the 237 new laws taking effect in Illinois on January 1, 2016, several relate to improving safety within the state. These include: Amusement Ride Regulations (HB 3359/PA 99-0116): Provides that slides of all sizes operated by an amusement vendor … Source: Claims Journal

A U.S. judge on Wednesday rejected General Motors Co’s bid to dismiss the first so-called “bellwether” case over defective ignition switches in its vehicles, clearing the way for a Jan. 11 trial. U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman in Manhattan said … Source: Claims Journal

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives recently passed House Bill 1638 which amends a 1972 law requiring insurance appraisers to be present for all automotive inspections, according to Snapsheet, a provider of virtual auto claims settlement by photo. If the bill … Source: Claims Journal