Category Archives: Insurance

by | May 9, 2013 · 6:15 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Texas Hotel Undergoing Renovations Suffers Fire Damage As “Hot Temperatures, Matresses Fuel Blaze”

Hotel Fire Investigation“…workers said they think mattresses might have fueled the blaze, but Dallas  Fire officials said they do not have an official cause of the fire…the fire was escalated to three alarms due to the size of the building and the hot and humid temperature inside…the renovated building was set to open as a new hotel in August 2013…”

A building being renovated into a new Homewood Suites was damaged after a  three alarm fire midday Wednesday. Officials with the hotel chain told FOX4 workers were installing dry wall and  flooring when the fire broke out on the fifth floor of the nine story building  shortly before noon.

Construction workers were in the building at the time and were evacuated. The  fire was put out by 12:30 p.m.

Fire officials said they believe the fire was accidental.

Management for the hotel told FOX4 they believe they will be able to make  repairs and still open on schedule.

Read more: http://www.myfoxdfw.com/story/22195836/fire-guts-part-of-downtown-dallas-building#ixzz2SnqpzXUa

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by | May 7, 2013 · 6:18 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: New Jersey Restaurant Fire Started With “Motor On Top Of Walk-In Cooler”; Floor Collapses And Dining Room Destroyed By Smoke Damage

“…the preliminary investigation indicates the fire might have started with a motor on top of a walk in cooler but this is still under Restaurant Fireinvestigation…the outside structure is still standing but the bar fell into the basement and the dining room was destroyed by smoke damage…”

The Ridgewod Restaurant was severely damaged in an early morning fire, police said. Firefighters and police were called to the restaurant on Brooklyn Stanhope Road at 2:23 a.m. on Saturday by the owners, who said that they had left the business after closing to go out and when they returned they found smoke cinside, according to Lt. Thomas Kmetz, a police department spokesman.

Police arrived to find kitchen door was hot to the touch and they could heard popping noises coming from inside, Kmetz said. The fire department arrived on the scene and found that there was smoke coming out of every possible area of the building that it could get out of, Kmetz said.

Firefighters extinguished the fire but the middle floor where the bar used to be collapsed into the basement and the dining room was destroyed by smoke damage, Kmetz said.

The Hopatcong, Roxbury, Netcong, Mount Arlington and Stanhope fire departments all responded to the blaze.  The restaurant specializes in Portugese and Italian cuisine.

For more:  http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20130506/NJNEWS/305060057/Hopatcong-restaurant-severely-damaged-fire

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by | May 4, 2013 · 6:25 am

Hospitality Industry Insurance Risks: Hotels Must Purchase “Additional Terrorism Clause” To Have Losses Covered When Government Classifies Bombing Incidents “Acts Of Terror”

“…(after September 11 attacks) “acts of terror”  were excluded from (regular insurance) policies. They made it an optional add-on that businesses Acts of Terror Insurance Coveragehad to purchase separately to have damage covered that resulted from officially declared acts of terrorism, meaning the government’s categorization of the incident will determine who pays for what…”

The hotels located on or near Boylston Street are still trying to get their feet back under them after the tragedy in Boston, reeling from the lack of business associated with the incident’s aftermath. Hotels are looking to their insurance companies to cover their losses, but, interestingly enough, the payout depends upon whether or not the government officially declares the marathon bombings an “act of terror.”

 According to ABC News, President Obama called the bombings an “act of terror,” but the treasury secretary, attorney general, and secretary of state have yet to speak on the designation, and have set no time frame in which to do so.

“If there is no terror finding, damages would be covered in general under regular property-and-casualty policies,” Robert Hartwig, president of the trade group Insurance Information Institute, told ABC News. If it’s declared an “act of terror,” however, only those who purchased the additional terrorism clause would have their losses covered by insurance.

For more:  http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2013/5/2/114339/2751/hotels/%22Terrorism_Insurance%22_a_Hot_Debate_as_Boston_Hotels_Still_Struggle_

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by | May 2, 2013 · 4:26 pm

P3 Hospitality Industry Risk Report: “Improving Hotel Security After Boston” Presented By Petra Risk Solutions’ Director Of Risk Management Todd Seiders (Video)

[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/65324022 w=500&h=281]

In the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings, it’s time to re-examine our security efforts and update our attitudes and training. Petra Risk Solutions’ Director of Risk Management, Todd Seiders , offers a P3 Hospitality Risk Update – ‘Improving Hotel Security after Boston’. 

P3P3 (Petra Plus Process) is the Risk Management Division of Petra Risk Solutions – America’s largest independent insurance brokerage devoted exclusively to the hospitality marketplace.

For more information on Petra and P3 visit petrarisksolutions.com or call 800.466.8951.

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by | · 5:28 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Michigan Restaurant Electrical Fire Caused By “Kitchen Materials Improperly Stored”; Heat Causes Pipes To Burst And Extensive Water Damage

“…the cause was improper storage of materials from the kitchen in an area not intended for storage…the heat caused pipes to burst, so there is Restaurant Firewater and smoke damage to the entire building…Normally the cleanup contractors can get things cleaned up if they can get in there right away, but the major issue will be damage to the electrical system…”

An early morning electrical fire has closed Culver’s restaurant on 9th street for at least a few weeks, general manager Jennie Atteberry said Tuesday morning. Texas Township fire chief Mike Corfman said his department was dispatched at 4:32 a.m. Tuesday when a delivery man noticed a haze at the  restaurant and  called 911.

When firefighters arrived they found heavy smoke coming from the utility room, he said.

It took only 10 minutes to put out the fire, which was contained to the utility room. There were no injuries in the fire.

For more:  http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2013/04/electrical_fire_closes_culvert.html

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by | April 30, 2013 · 5:54 am

Hospitality Industry Legal Risks: Louisiana Hotel Sued By Guest Who Broke His Nose Walking Into A Glass Door; Claims “Unmarked Electric Glass Door Failed To Open Properly”

“…The (hotel) is accused of failing to keep doors properly functioning for its guest, failing to have doors properly marked for its guest, failing to Hospitality Industry Injury Lawsuitsensure the safety of its guest, failing to comply with the legal and contractual obligations for its guest, failing to act in good faith in paying for the losses of its guest and breaching its fiduciary duties and obligations for its guests…”

An Atlanta, Ga. man is suing a local hotel after he broke his nose when he walked face first into a glass door. Timothy Daniel filed a lawsuit against Clarion Inn & Suites, Choice Hotel International Inc. and their insurer in the Orleans Parish Central District Court on Feb. 15.

Daniel claims that while exiting the hotel building, without any warning signs, he walked into an unmarked electric glass door and broke his nose because the door failed to open properly.

The plaintiff is seeking full and just compensation for his losses caused by the injuries.

For more:  http://louisianarecord.com/news/251299-hotel-guest-sues-over-broken-nose-after-walking-into-glass-door

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by | April 26, 2013 · 6:13 am

Hospitality Industry Crime Risks: Las Vegas Hotel Guest Rooms Burglarized By Thieves “Walking Down Hallways And Door Pushing”; Victims Held In Bathroom While Personal Items Stolen

“…Thieves can walk down a hallway and just by slightly pushing on a door can determine those rooms that are left unsecured… But Hotel Burglariesjust days after the couple’s stuff was stolen from the Luxor, police arrested two men for a similar crime at Excalibur…This time police paperwork indicated the thieves held the victims in the bathroom and stole their stuff. Hueslkamp think it’s tied to his case and said the hotel should be responsible for what’s stolen…”

Some Las Vegas tourists expect to lose thousands gambling inside the casino, but if they’re not careful they could also get ripped off inside their hotel room. Huelskamp, an Ohio tourist, told Action News his story via Skype. He said that he and his fiance were staying at the Luxor and while they were sleeping a thief walked right into their room. It’s crime police call “door pushing” and it can happen at any hotel.

The couple took a photo of the door they thought closed behind them. There is no dead bolt and after a long road-trip to Las Vegas they went to bed thinking they were safe. “We went to bed, we know at 1:26 a.m. because we watched a movie on the iPad that was later stolen,” Huelskamp said. “It was no further than six inches away from my beautiful wife’s head.”
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Police don’t know how often door pushing happens because they get hundreds of reports of burglaries every day. After this happened and even in travels today I am still a little weary about staying in a hotel no matter where we are,” he said.
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The Luxor sent Action News a statement that reads “We are sorry for the Hueslkamp’s unfortunate experience. Our resorts have extensive security and surveillance systems in place but there is no substitute for being alert. Even on vacation, guests should always remain aware of their surroundings and ensure their hotel room doors are securely closed and locked at all times.”
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by | April 21, 2013 · 12:27 pm

Hospitality Industry Legal Risks: California Restaurant Franchisee Settles EEOC “Disability Discrimination Lawsuit” For $100,000; Former Floor Supervisor With “Intellectual Disability” Demoted To Janitorial Position

“…The EEOC contends that once Alia took over,  Alia management demoted Morgan to a janitorial position, cut his hours and reduced  his hourly EEOCwages, thereby forcing him to find other employment and resign by  June 2009.   The EEOC’s lawsuit argued  that Alia Corporation thus engaged in disability discrimination that violated  the Americans with Disabilities Act  (ADA)…”

Alia Corporation, a franchisee  with over 20 fast-food chain restaurants throughout Central California, agreed  to pay $100,000 to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S.  Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced  today.

The EEOC originally filed suit against the Merced,  Calif.-based company in 2011 on behalf of Derrick Morgan, a former floor  supervisor with an intellectual disability (EEOC v. Alia Corporation, Case  No. 1:11-cv-01549-LJO-BAM, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of  California).  Morgan was known to be a good employee and  promoted by previous management from crew member to super­visor in 2008.

As  part of the settlement announced today, the parties entered into a three-year  consent decree requiring Alia to hire an equal employment opportunity (EEO) monitor  to create anti-discrimination policies and procedures; a complaint process and  impartial investigations; a centralized tracking system for discrimination  complaints; a system to hold employees accountable for discrimination; and,  annual live disability discrimination training for all management and human  resources employees.  The $100,000 in  monetary relief shall be paid entirely to Morgan.  The EEOC will monitor compliance with the agreement.

“Employers cannot allow biases and stereotypes to factor  into employment decisions,” said Anna Y. Park, regional attorney for the EEOC’s  Los Angeles District Office, which includes Fresno in its jurisdiction.  “The EEOC commends Alia Corporation for  today’s settlement, as it marks a new path for Alia — one which includes equal  employment opportunity for all of their employees, regardless of disabilities.”

Melissa  Barrios, director of the EEOC’s Fresno Local Office, said, “Disability discrimination  charges are on the rise in California, comprising 30% of all charges  filed.  Workers who are unjustly  penalized due to their disabilities have protections under federal law, and the  EEOC is here to help.”

For more:  http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/newsroom/release/4-18-13.cfm

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by | April 19, 2013 · 6:49 am

Hospitality Industry Legal Risks: Pennsylvania Restaurant Franchisee Sued By Manager Who Fractured Ankle After Slipping In Puddle Of Water; Seeking Over $50,000 In Damages

“…The suit alleges that (plaintiff) sustained an ankle fracture that required surgery after she slipped on a puddle of water at the KFC restaurant Hospitality Industry Injury Lawsuitsthat she managed…she sustained the ankle fracture, contusions, abrasions, lacerations and nerve damage, as well as trauma, mental upset, anguish and humiliation…”

A case involving a Philadelphia-area fast food manager who claims she broke her ankle after slipping on a puddle of water at her place of employment may have to proceed in federal, not state court, after defense attorneys filed a motion to transfer the litigation. Nicholas J. Renzi, of Adams Renzi Law in Philadelphia, filed a personal injury complaint at the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas on April 2 on behalf of his client, city resident Benet Moultrie-Long and her husband, Curtis Long.

On that same day, employees with Temple, Texas-based McLane Foodservice Inc. and McLane Company had delivered frozen items to the fast food restaurant, which is located in Conshohocken, Montgomery County.

This week, attorney Jon Michael Dumont, of the Philadelphia firm Rawle & Henderson, filed a petition with the U.S. District Court in Philadelphia seeking to move the litigation to that venue.

The defense lawyers contend that in reading the plaintiff’s lawsuit, it appears damages would exceed the $50,000 jurisdictional limit at the Court of Common Pleas.

For more:  http://pennrecord.com/news/9790-defense-lawyers-petition-to-remove-kfc-injury-case-to-federal-court

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by | April 16, 2013 · 5:36 am

Hospitality Industry Health Insurance Solutions: Large Hotel Group “Incentivizing Employees” To Complete Risk Assessments And Increase Activities As Part Of Wellness Program

“…Company executives started by incentivizing employees to complete a risk assessment at no cost to them, and they would receive $50 for their trouble. Approximately 70% of employees participated in the program…(the company) added additional incentives to its wellness program such health insurance nationalas having employees voluntarily pick three activities to improve health. Activities included joining a nutritional plan such as Weight Watchers, joining a fitness club, joining a group exercise plan, getting a dental exam or telephone coaching…”

One of the leaders in addressing the future of health care in the hospitality industry is Loews Corporation. Beginning in 2007, Loews looked at how to improve employee health as part of a self-insurance program. The company saw the benefits of a healthier workforce not only costing Loews less for medical care but also fewer sick days on the job.

With this initial success, Loews increased the incentive to $200 the next year but required employees to agree to a telephone coaching program regarding their health. The participation level dropped to 22%. After walking around talking to employees, executives figured out that employees wanted to hear it from their own doctor. So, the program was adjusted and saw the participation rate increase dramatically. Now, employees go to their doctor to get a preventive exam and do a biometric screening.

Next year, in conjunction with ACA, Loews will remove the direct incentive but will have a two-tiered health plan where if employees have an annual biometric exam with their doctor and select three approved healthy activities to participate in, they will qualify for a lower cost plan. If not, the employee will have a health-care plan with a higher premium as required by their plan administrator.

The hope is that employees will become engaged in wellness activities, choose healthy living habits and help contain health-care costs below the Cadillac tax limit. If for any reason this does not happen, Loews employees have been brought into the discussion that the option of increasing the portion employees pay for their health-care premium, currently set at a low level, may become the only alternative. That’s a real incentive, and innovation at work.

For more:  http://www.hotelnewsnow.com/Articles.aspx/10292/Wellness-programs-mitigate-health-care-costs

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