Declarations

Judge in Awe

“I have never experienced anything like these 124 cases in my 15 years on the bench. These cases have generated a tremendous amount of publicity, both in West Virginia and nationally. These are not run-of-the-mill lawsuits, like little car accidents. They have taken on national interest and (aroused) national curiosity.”

—Putnam County, W. Va. Circuit Court Judge O.C. Spaulding commenting on settlements he approved May 6 with the estates of three of Dr. John A. King’s patients who accused King of botching osteopathic surgeries.

Stop Digging

“Citizens is getting deeper in the hole. They clearly don’t have the money now to pay its claims if we have a hurricane.”

—Sam Miller, vice president of the Florida Insurance Council, commenting on a Florida legislation package. A portion of the legislation extended a rate freeze for another year for state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp.’s 1.2 million customers.

Keeping the Lid On

“We’re trying to get people off the roads who are driving drunk. And if you are allowing people to have an open container, that’s not going to help our drunk driving laws.”

—Tennessee Senate Judiciary Chairwoman Mae Beavers, R-Mount Juliet, commenting on passage of a bill that would ban open alcohol containers in vehicles despite concerns raised by prosecutors and safety officials the measure could cause drunken driving enforcement efforts to lose federal funding.

Public Adjusters Limited

“These reforms will better protect Floridians who have suffered losses after a hurricane and are trying to rebuild and restore their lives and homes. I am thankful we were able to increase protections for consumers who need help in the wake of a hurricane.”

—Florida Chief Financial Officer, Alex Sink, after the Florida Senate passed a public adjuster reforms bill that will limit contingency fees charged by adjusters and prohibit intrusive solicitation practices.

Red Carpet for Reinsurers

“It is important for Florida that highly capitalized, well regulated foreign reinsurers be allowed to conduct business with Florida insurers without requiring them to post millions of dollars in collateral. It will lead to increased capital and competition in our state, and it will help to stabilize and potentially reduce property insurance rates.”

—Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty at a public hearing in April asking for input on a draft rule that would implement 2007 legislation giving the insurance commissioner discretion to allow unaccredited reinsurance companies to conduct business in Florida – without having to post 100 percent collateral.