December 11, 2017 by matray

Dorf & Nelson LLP announced today that noted medical malpractice defense litigator John Lyddane has joined the firm as a partner. Lyddane will head up Dorf & Nelson’s Medical Malpractice Defense Group in New York. He joins from Martin Clearwater & Bell.

Lyddane has tried more than 250 cases to dismissal or verdict. His cases have included malpractice claims and product liability as well as general commercial litigation, usually with a highly technical factual component. He is also a widely-published and frequent speaker on professional liability and risk management topics.

His wide-ranging roster of corporate clients has included hospitals, insurance carriers, product manufacturers, large residential landlords, municipalities and the State of New York. He also has represented numerous prominent individual defendants including physicians at teaching hospitals, other attorneys, and engineers. Additionally, he has served as national claims counsel for two corporate suppliers of medical services.

"“We are excited that John has decided to join our team,”" said Jonathan B. Nelson, chair of Dorf & Nelson’s Litigation Department. "“He is an icon in the field of insurance defense and we could not be more pleased to have him on board. John’'s vast experience in medical malpractice and complex personal injury defense will complement our thriving commercial litigation practice. With John to guide the practice group and try major technical cases, the systems of Dorf & Nelson will be put to their most effective use. Dorf & Nelson's wide ranging portfolio of legal services will allow our firm to effectively and efficiently service the medical community."

Lyddane noted that Dorf & Nelson’s legal and technical range was the right match for the future of complex litigation:

"“Dorf & Nelson is an innovative firm which uses advanced technology and procedures to focus on the critical facts and issues at an early point in complex litigation and then prepare for trial efficiently,"” Lyddane said. "“This benefits the attorneys, the individual clients and their insurance carriers. Equally important, Dorf & Nelson has a team of attorneys who can engage in the full range of litigation strategies as well as an experienced lineup of seasoned practitioners who can provide transactional legal counseling to my clients."”

According to Dorf & Nelson, Lyddane is consistently ranked among the top attorneys by his peers, with an AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell and inclusion in the “Best Lawyers in America.” He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He holds a J.D. from Syracuse University School of Law, and a B.A. from the University of Rochester.

December 7, 2017 by matray

CMIC Group announced today that its chief executive officer, Denise Funk, will retire at the end of the year.

Funk joined CMIC at the company’s onset in 1984, recruited by the Connecticut State Medical Society as a consultant for the newly formed mutual company founded by Connecticut physicians. She was charged with setting up the company and managing CMIC’s operations for three years. At the conclusion of the contract, Funk took over the position of chief operating officer, and thereafter, chief executive officer. Since then, CMIC has grown extensively, both in logistics as well as in policyholders. Although originally established in Connecticut, the company is now active in 13 states and has expanded to include both CMIC and its member affiliate, CMIC RRG, both of which now fall under the CMIC Group umbrella.

“Denise has led the company with unflinching grace, professionalism and wisdom for over three decades,” said John Hornby, MD, chairman and president of the CMIC Board of Directors. “The inception and subsequent success of the company, whose founding enabled many physicians to hang their own shingle and weather a turbulent era in the healthcare industry, is unquestionably due to her extraordinary contributions. Her imprint on the company will be felt for many years to come.”

The role of chief executive officer will be assumed by Stephen Gallant, the company’s current chief operating officer.

Gallant has more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry. Prior to joining CMIC Group in March 2017 as COO, he served as senior vice president of MMG Insurance Company, a property and casualty carrier headquartered in Maine. Additionally, he had also worked for MMG Insurance Company as its vice president of marketing and assistant vice president of accounting.

“Steve’s appointment as chief executive officer marks an exciting new chapter in CMIC Group’s remarkable story,” Hornby said. “His leadership, coupled with his many years of experience, will not only help the company reach its strategic goals in the coming years, but also help CMIC Group to excel far into the future.”

December 5, 2017 by matray

On Dec. 4, Coverys announced the completion of the acquisition of R & Q Managing Agency Ltd. (RQMA). Under the terms of the agreement, RQMA, a fully authorized Lloyd’s managing agency based in London, will be renamed Coverys Managing Agency Limited. The agency currently manages Syndicates 1991, 3330 & 1110, and is in the final stages of the “Making it Happen” process with Lloyd’s to establish Syndicate 1975 as a specialist Medical Professional Liability and Healthcare underwriter. Syndicate 1975 will be exclusively capitalized by Coverys and is expected to commence underwriting on Jan. 1, 2018. “Coverys’ investment in the managing agency showcases our commitment to expand our activities to meet the needs of a changing market,” said Gregg Hanson, CEO and president of Coverys. “This continued growth offers the ability to expand our sophisticated solutions space while leveraging the leadership team of the former RQMA. We are excited by the formation of our own Syndicate, but remain committed to the provision of management to third party Lloyd’s businesses.” “We look forward to continuing to build our relationship with Randall & Quilter Investment Holdings Ltd. as we explore opportunities to work together in the future,” said Hanson. “R&Q will remain an active resource for management of legacy portfolios and a liaison for Coverys and Lloyd’s opportunities.”

December 5, 2017 by matray

On Dec. 1, Coverys finalized the acquisition of Global Insurance Management Company, Inc. (GIMC). GIMC and its insurance subsidiary, Healthcare Underwriters Group, Inc., provide medical professional liability insurance for physicians and healthcare providers in Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Texas. “Coverys is committed to expanding GIMC’s ability to offer superior products and services to grow and expand for the benefit of our policyholders and clients and to bringing long-term availability, predictability, and stability with this acquisition,” said Gregg L. Hanson, CEO and president of Coverys. “The acquisition strengthens GIMC’s ability to expand our service offerings to a core group of hospital and physician policyholders and provides the ability to issue policies in all 50 states,” said Joshua Salman, CEO and president of GIMC. “Now being a part of a larger healthcare professional liability group, our policyholders will benefit from the greater level of financial stability and Coverys’ A rating.”

November 30, 2017 by matray

The Cooperative of American Physicians, Inc. (CAP) announced that it has promoted vice president Ann Whitehead, RN, JD, to lead its Risk Management & Patient Safety Department. In a concurrent announcement, the organization made known that Kimberly L. Danebrock, JD, BSN, RN, CPPS, has been promoted to director of risk management for CAPAssurance, A Risk Purchasing Group.

Ann Whitehead has been part of CAP’s risk management team for 11 years, beginning as a risk management and patient safety specialist. In 2013, she was promoted to vice president of risk management, a role she co-shared until her most recent promotion. Whitehead is a former hospital risk manager, risk management consultant and medical group risk management director. She is a licensed attorney and registered nurse with experience in medical malpractice defense and critical care nursing management. Whitehead earned her JD from Southwestern Law School and has a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration.

“Ann has always had a strong leadership role in the risk management department, and I look forward to working with her in her new position,” said Jeffrey L. Stoner, senior vice president, Claims & Risk Management Services. “She will play an important role as we continue to refine and improve our risk management efforts to better serve our members.”

Kimberly Danebrock has most recently served six years as senior risk management and patient safety specialist for CAP. Prior to this, she was a medical legal specialist for Beach Whitman Cowdrey, LLP, a law firm in Oxnard, Calif. Danebrock earned her JD from Ventura College of Law, her BSN from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and her RN from Ventura Community College.

“Kim’s proven risk management expertise, along with her background in nursing and law, will be tremendous assets to our team,” said Alyson Lewis, CAP senior vice president and chief underwriting officer. “She will be a key resource and provide great value to our CAPAssurance clients.”

November 20, 2017 by matray

CMIC Group, a member-owned medical professional liability insurance provider, recently appointed CMIC board member Paul Darcy, MD, as chairman of the Underwriting Committee.

“Dr. Darcy is a highly skilled, experienced and well-respected physician whose attributes will benefit not only the Underwriting Committee but the company as a whole,” said Denise Funk, chief executive officer of CMIC Group. “His unique skillset will further enhance our highly diligent and responsible underwriting processes and decisions.”

Darcy graduated from Johns Hopkins University and received his medical degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School. He completed his residency and fellowship training at Beth Israel Hospital/Harvard Medical School. As a board certified anesthesiologist, he is chairman of the Department of Anesthesia and medical director of Perioperative Services at Milford Regional Medical Center in Milford, Mass., and president of Milford Anesthesia Associates (Massachusetts). He serves on the Board of Trustees and the Medical Executive Committee at Milford Regional Medical Center.

November 15, 2017 by matray

The majority (55 percent) of U.S. physicians have been sued, and nearly half of them more than once, according to the results of Medscape’s Physician Malpractice Report 2017.  The survey of 4,000 doctors across more than 25 specialties was published online today. This marks a 15 percent increase over Medscape’s 2013 Malpractice Report. The Malpractice Report is located here. 

Specialists, particularly surgeons (85 percent) and OB/Gyns (85 percent), were far more likely to be sued than primary care doctors; psychiatrists (29 percent) and dermatologists (28 percent) were the specialists named least frequently in lawsuits.  Accordingly, malpractice insurance premiums range from nearly $200,000 annually for a New York City OB/Gyn to about $38,000 for an internist.

Failure to diagnose a patient’s condition or complications arising from treatment were the most common reasons that patients sued.  

However, malpractice suits took most physicians by surprise (58 percent) and an almost equal number (51 percent) said the experience changed their attitudes towards patients — with 26 percent saying they no longer trust patients or treat them differently, i.e., practicing ‘defensive medicine’; 6 percent left the practice setting and 3 percent changed insurers.)  

While the survey found most suits were dismissed or settled before trial, it also found being sued takes a toll. One-third of those surveyed spent more than 40 hours preparing their defense and an almost equal number took three to five years to resolve their case. The majority of physicians cited better communication with patients as a way to reduce the number of malpractice suits, along with medical screening panels to determine the merits of a suit and caps on non-economic damages.

November 14, 2017 by matray

Alera Group — an Illinois-based specialists in employee benefits, property and casualty, risk management and wealth management — acquired Flagship Healthcare, a physician-owned insurance brokerage specializing in professional liability insurance solutions for healthcare providers. The acquisition was effective Nov 1, 2017. Flagship Healthcare will join Alera Group through local firm GCG Financial in Chicago, IL.

November 10, 2017 by matray

CMIC Group announced that Edmund Schiavoni, MD, has been elected president of the CMIC Risk Retention Group Board of Directors. “Dr. Schiavoni brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership experience to his new role on the CMIC RRG Board of Directors,” said Denise Funk, CMIC Group chief executive officer. “His extensive expertise will be an asset to the company as well as the RRG Board itself.” Schiavoni has practiced primary care internal medicine for more than 25 years. He received his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College, his medical degree from Georgetown University and his postgraduate medical training at Georgetown University Medical Center. He is the president of Southern New Hampshire Internal Medicine Associates and has been in a variety of hospital leadership roles, including chief of medicine, chair of credentials and chair of the Board of Trustees. He has also served on the Executive Council of the New Hampshire Medical Society.

November 8, 2017 by matray

ISMIE Mutual Insurance Co. and ISMIE Indemnity announced plans yesterday for expanded product and service availability in Wisconsin. With a recently updated state rate filing, the companies will offer medical liability coverage for health professionals, groups and healthcare facilities.

“ISMIE has served medical professionals in Wisconsin for many years and we have exciting plans for our future in the state,” said Paul H. DeHaan, MD, ISMIE vice chairman. “We expect a strong response as the Wisconsin healthcare sector becomes more familiar with ISMIE’s diverse products and services.”

ISMIE Executive Vice President Wayne de Nazarie added, “Over four decades, ISMIE has built a national reputation as a carrier known for its financial strength, unparalleled policyholder service and unwavering defense of physicians and healthcare facilities," said Wayne de Nazarie, ISMIE executive vice president. "As ISMIE continues its expansion, we look forward to strengthening ties with our new policyholders and the best agents and brokers in Wisconsin.”