Latest Washington Headlines
All the headlines from our Washington Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Washington Jury Awards $14.8M Dental Malpractice Verdict
Sep 2 2008 // A former cheerleader has been awarded $14.8 million by a Spokane County, Wash., Superior Court jury after a series of dental surgeries left her disabled and disfigured with her jaw fused shut. The jury decided that Dr....
Untrustworthy Insurance Agents Will Lose Licenses in Washington
Aug 29 2008 // Insurance agents in Washington state can lose their licenses if they are deemed “untrustworthy.” In an important decision, the Washington State Court of Appeals ruled that Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler...
Washington Raises Workers’ Comp Benefits, Pays Dividend to Employers
Aug 21 2008 // Workers currently receiving Washington workers’ compensation wage-replacement or pension benefits will receive a 5.018 percent cost-of-living increase, according to the state Department of Labor and Industries...
‘Dramatic’ WTO Farm Deal Close If Talks ‘Can Be Revived’
Aug 14 2008 // A world trade deal that dramatically opens livestock markets in the European Union, Canada and Japan is within grasp, if talks that collapsed last month in Geneva can be revived. U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab...
Washington Warns: Beware Hole in One Insurance
Aug 11 2008 // Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler warns anyone planning a golf tournament in Washington state not to buy hole in one insurance from Golf Marketing. Golf Marketing is not licensed to sell insurance in...
Washington Residents Savvy About Identity Theft, Survey Says
Aug 4 2008 // While Washington state has one of the highest per-capita rates of identity theft in the nation, Washingtonians are aware of the risks and are taking the precautions necessary to prevent identity fraud, according to a...
Washington To Host Public Hearings on Crane Safety Regulations
Aug 3 2008 // Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries has scheduled five public hearings on proposed rules implementing legislation that requires higher standards for construction cranes and crane operators. The...
113 Washington Drivers Ticketed for Cell Phone Use
Jul 25 2008 // Washington state troopers say nearly 300 drivers were stopped for investigation of using hand-held cellular telephones in the first half-month that a ban was in effect, and 113 have gotten tickets. Troopers add that an...
Washington Offers Assistance to Homeowners Hit by Wildfires
Jul 18 2008 // As wildfires erupt across Eastern Washington, state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler urges homeowners needing help with their insurance claims to call the Insurance Consumer Hotline (800-562-6900). “Most...
Washington Residents Savvy About Identity Theft, Survey Says
Jul 18 2008 // While Washington state has one of the highest per-capita rates of identity theft in the nation, Washingtonians are aware of the risks and are taking the precautions necessary to prevent identity fraud, according to a...
Vancouver WA Excavation Company to Pay Back Wages
Jul 11 2008 // The owners of a Vancouver, Wash., excavation business must pay $356,000 to compensate for unpaid overtime wages and workers’ compensation premiums. Jerry and James Schram, brothers and business partners in...
Washington Raises Workers’ Comp Benefits, Pays Dividend to Employers
Jul 9 2008 // Workers currently receiving Washington workers’ compensation wage-replacement or pension benefits will receive a 5.018 percent cost-of-living increase, according to the state Department of Labor and Industries...
When is a Collapse a Collapse?
Jul 7 2008 // Navigating the Field of Conflicting Views Consider the following scenario: An earthquake, tornado, flood or similar natural catastrophe causes significant structural damage to an insured’s home. Although the building...
Look Ma, No Hands
Jul 7 2008 // Hands-Free Cell Phone Laws Take Effect in California, Washington California and Washington drivers can no longer talk on their cell phones while driving — at least not if they’re holding the phone with their hands,...
Unitrin Specialty & Red Shield Insurance Company Form Marketing Venture
Jul 3 2008 // July 3 2008 – Unitrin Specialty and Red Shield Insurance Company announced today that the two companies have formed a marketing relationship that will benefit both company’s appointed agents in Oregon and...
Survey: Washington Cell Phone Law Falls Short
Jun 27 2008 // While Washington drivers agree that the steady rise in cell phone usage while behind the wheel calls for changes to state law, most think the impending July 1, 2008, change making it illegal to use a cell phone without a...
Professional Insurance Agents of Washington/Alaska Name New Officers, Directors, Award Winners
Jun 26 2008 // The Professional Insurance Agents of Washington/Alaska (PIA) recently elected a new president and board of directors, and recognized award winners at its 42nd Annual Conference and Trade Show. Mark Balcos of Balcos...
Crump Names Two to Transportation Department in Washington
Jun 20 2008 // Crump Insurance Services named Michal Walter associate broker for the transportation department in Bothell, Wash. He will be responsible for quoting, binding, and servicing renewals and new accounts; developing...
FEMA Rescinds New Flood Maps for D.C.
Jun 19 2008 // The Federal Emergency Management Agency has rescinded maps declaring a large swath of downtown Washington and the National Mall a flood zone after city officials pledged to have a stronger levee system in place by late...
Washington’s Bratrud Middelton Insurance Changes Name to Propel
Jun 16 2008 // Bratrud Middleton Insurance of Tacoma, Wash., has changed its name to Propel Insurance. The company said the leadership and staff will remain the same; the new name simply reflects the company’s “bold,...
