Five Things You Need to Know: 7/3, Tuesday Edition

Sarasota, FL (WorkersCompensation.com) -

1) FL: New Subrogation Team Formed at SUNZ

“SUNZ Holdings, LLC, a provider of large deductible workers’ compensation insurance products, has formed Avalon Subrogation Partners, LLC, a subrogation company focused on recovering claim payments from parties who may have caused or contributed to the accident or insured the loss. Avalon is based in Lakewood Ranch, FL,” according to Insurance Journal. SUNZ CEO Steven F. Herrig said the Avalon team averages in at approximately 20 years of experience in a variety of insurance issues. SUNZ is based in Bradenton.

2) NY: Changes at Uber, Lyft to Include Vision Coverage Option for Drivers

As of this week in New York, drivers for companies similar to Uber and Lyft will have vision care coverage options available to them, according to Insurance Journal. “…The coverage for an estimated 43,000 drivers statewide will be paid for by the Black Car Fund, a workers’ compensation fund for car-service drivers that is funded by a 2.5 percent surcharge on each ride,” per the article. “…The Black Car Fund was created by the New York state legislature in 1999 to provide workers’ compensation insurance for livery and black car drivers. The fund also pays $50,000 to family members of drivers killed on the job.”

3) ID: Roof Repair Accident Leads to One Fatality

Ammon resident Salvador Hidalga fell off of a roof last week while working to repair it, according to a KTVB article. The incident happened last Tuesday morning. CPR was performed with help from his coworkers while the city fire dept., Idaho Falls Ambulance, and deputies attempted to save him. “…He was pronounced dead at the scene,” per the article. Investigations are underway to determine what exactly happened.

4) PA: Judges Agree Firefighters Should Pay $127K in Legal Fees to Siren Companies

Washington, DC firefighters will need to pay more than $127K for legal purposes to Federal Signal Corp., and three other siren companies, writes Nicholas Malfitano of the Pennsylvania Record. “…According to the judges, the upholding of the payment of legal fees was proper due to ‘exceptional circumstances’ — in this case, ‘a litigant’s failure to perform a meaningful pre-suit investigation, and a repeated practice of bringing claims and dismissing them with prejudice after inflicting substantial costs on the opposing party and the judicial system,’” writes Malfitano. There are other lawsuits pending in the US against Federal Signal for alleged permanent hearing loss. “…The firefighter plaintiffs alleged the defendant manufacturer’s ‘Q-Siren’ contained an inherent product liability defect, causing it to create noise ‘at an unreasonably dangerous pitch and decibel level’ and leading those same firefighters to suffer permanent hearing loss,” according to the article. “However, a deposition garnered in the case revealed the plaintiffs’ fire department had conducted yearly hearing loss screenings for more than 20 years and encouraged the firefighters to wear protective devices for their ears.”

5) TX: Janitor Files Lawsuit After an ABM Vice Principal Allegedly Attacks Her 

Houston resident Juventina Lopez has filed a lawsuit against “…ABM Industries, Inc. for the subject event last Feb. 5 in which Daniel Rincon attacked the plaintiff,” writes John Suayan of the Southeast Texas Record. Allegedly, Lopez was working as a janitor when a company Vice Principal, Rincon, “assaulted and battered” her. “…Lopez further states that the events of Feb. 5, 2018 ‘did not come as a surprise to ABM,’ asserting the company ‘was aware of similar allegations of assault’ against Rincon but spared him from any discipline,” according to the article. “…Consequently, the plaintiff seeks unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.”

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