Opening statements began on Thursday in criminal charges against the U.S. arm of a French company and three executives over chemical fires that burned for days and injured emergency workers called to the site. The Arkema SA plant outside of … Source: Claims Journal

The World Health Organization says the coronavirus isn’t yet a global pandemic. Bonds that insure against just such a catastrophe say that it probably is. The bonds, sold in 2017 by the World Bank to raise money for poor countries … Source: Claims Journal

Bayer AG acknowledged for the first time that lawsuits related to the controversial weed killer Roundup could force it to sell assets, issue new equity or borrow money at unfavorable terms. In its annual report published Thursday, Bayer said that … Source: Claims Journal

Alphabet’s Waymo and General Motors-backed Cruise saw their autonomous vehicles require less help from human drivers on California’s public roads in 2019. Waymo drove 13,219 miles on average before a human safety driver had to take control of the vehicle … Source: Claims Journal

Robert Lerton “Bob” Young, founder of a company that grew to become claims-management giant Sedgwick, died on Feb. 20, the company announced Wednesday. He was 83. Young in 1969 founded a small claims services company in San Francisco. The company … Source: Claims Journal

HOBOKEN, N.J. — Hoboken, one of the areas in New Jersey hit hardest by Superstorm Sandy, is making progress toward completing a large public park that will double as a reservoir for nearly 2 million gallons of storm water to … Source: Claims Journal

HARDWICK TOWNSHIP — A forest fire burning through a popular hiking area that is crossed by the Appalachian Trail and a major interstate highway was about 80% contained by Monday afternoon, New Jersey fire officials said. The fire began Sunday … Source: Claims Journal

BOSTON — A subsidiary of utility operator NiSource Inc has agreed to pay $53 million and plead guilty to breaking federal pipeline safety laws to resolve an investigation into catastrophic gas explosions in three Massachusetts communities in 2018. Columbia Gas … Source: Claims Journal

Bayer AG Chairman Werner Wenning will step down as the German drug and chemicals company wrestles with the growing fallout from U.S. lawsuits over its Roundup weedkiller. Wenning will be succeeded in April by Norbert Winkeljohann, 62, who has served … Source: Claims Journal

Opioid makers and distributors who proposed paying almost $50 billion to resolve U.S. lawsuits over the addictive drugs are drawing more support from states, including California and New York, as pressure mounts for a deal before a trial starts next … Source: Claims Journal