Declarations

The Price of Defeat

“This type of public nuisance litigation is not cost free.”

—Charles Moellenberg Jr., a lawyer for Sherwin-Williams, which was among the three paint companies last month to win a $242,000 judgment against the state of Rhode Island. The money is to reimburse the three for legal costs stemming from the companies’ successful bid to overturn a jury verdict that could have forced them to spend billions of dollars cleaning up homes contaminated by lead paint.

Cheaper, Faster, Better

“A change to a single producer license will greatly benefit insurance producers by eliminating the administrative burden and costs of maintaining and renewing multiple licenses.”

—Neal L. Sullivan, chairman of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York, which is working with the state’s insurance department on legislation to streamline the process of licensing insurance agents.

Bottom-Line Blues

“Simply put, in this environment, companies cannot afford to overpay for insurance coverage.”

—Bill Bruno of Greenwich Associates, commenting on a new study by his company that suggests middle-market companies are reassessing their relationships with insurance brokers and adopting a more bottom-line approach toward securing insurance coverage.

License Postponement

“What is the purported benefit of three months?”

—Maryland lawmaker Anthony O’Donnell (R), commenting on a proposal by Governor Martin O’Malley to raise by three months the age which teens could get a learner’s permit and a driver’s license.

Car Claim Kidnapping

“It’s just a very tragic thing that’s eroded her sense of trust; these were friends of hers. As of now, she still doesn’t have any feeling in her toes, and they’re still trying to do all kinds of therapies and injections to improve that.”

—Albert Wunsch, lawyer for a 19-year-old New Jersey woman who was left outside for more than an hour on a snow-lined road. Police say she was driven to and then abandoned there by three women who were upset with the victim over a car insurance claim. Police have not identified the woman, but said she was left wearing only a dress, a thin jacket and one shoe; the temperature outside was eight degrees.