Woodruff-Sawyer Quarterly
TOP STORIES
Corporate & Executive Protection
- Private Company D&O Insurance: Making the Purchase Worthwhile
- Securities Litigation Trends and Related Disclosure Issues Facing Life Sciences Companies
Employee Benefits
- Employee Benefits Legislation for April 2009
- Welfare Benefits Plan Compliance Checklist
Construction & Real Estate
- Possible Increase in Workers' Comp Rates Ahead
Risk Management
- Minimize Your Exposure to Risk in Tough Times
Claims Management
- Section 111: New Medicare Reporting Requirements
- Recent Workers' Compensation Case Law
April 2009
Employers today are dealing with a variety of new issues that affect their workforce and impact business decisions. New governmental policies, an uncertain economy and ever-changing legislative and compliance issues are only a few of the concerns employers are facing.
 
In the latest issue of our newsletter, we provide insight on benefits legislative issues, changes in claims reporting, workers' compensation updates, D&O litigation issues and more. Please read on, and feel free to contact us with any comments or suggestions.
 
- Charlie Rosson, CEO
Corporate & Executive Protection

Private Company D&O Insurance: Making the Purchase Worthwhile
by Priya Cherian Huskins, Esq. 
Directors and officers of private companies potentially face unlimited personal liability if sued. As a result, the purchase of a robust D&O policy is a high priority. However, all policies are not the same, it is all too easy to pay too much for a D&O policy that does surprisingly little. 
Click here to view the full article

Securities Litigation Trends and Related Disclosure Issues Facing Life Sciences Companies
by Sara Brody, Esq., Sidley Austin LLP
Nathaniel Spencer-Mork, Esq., Sidley Austin LLP
The life sciences industry is a risky business. Due to the innovative nature of the work and its direct impact on consumer' health, life sciences companies have a higher probability of securities class action lawsuits than others.
Features & Updates

EPL Newsletter, April 2009
Employee Benefits

Employee Benefits Legislation for 2009
by Jennifer Lunski, Esq. 
The April Employee Benefits Update Will Include:
- Coordinating COBRA and Severance
- Proper Disclosure of ERISA in Electronic Documents
- SF Health Care Ordinance Supreme Court Update
- Oregon Insurance Department ARRA Explanation
- Massachusetts Employer Health Insurance Forms
Click here to view the full article

Welfare Benefits Plan Compliance Checklist 
Marin Legal PC
This year promises major reform. This checklist summarizes major compliance deadlines for welfare plan administrators beginning in 2009.
Legislative Update

Employee Benefits Podcast: Consumer Directed Healthcare Plans.
Construction & Real Estate
Possible Increase in Workers' Comp Rates Ahead
by Arie Dykhuizen 
The WCIRB has recommended that Pure Premium Rates be increased by 24.4% for new and renewing policies. This is a dramatic turnaround from the double-digit decreases seen since the 2004 Workers' Comp Legislative Reforms.
Helpful Links
Risk Management
Minimize Your Exposure to Risk in Tough Times
by Paul Quinn
In an economic downturn, many businesses experience an increase in both the frequency and the severity of workers' compensation claims. Heightened demands on employees can lead to stress and increased injuries on the job, which add up to a serious and potentially expensive risk for the employer.
Upcoming Seminar
Seminar: Principles of Risk Management & Insurance
Claims Management
Section 111: New Medicare Reporting Requirements
by Darren Cartwright 
Effective July 1, Medicare will for the first time be instituting Section 111 of the Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extention Act. This will include new mandatory reporting requirements on all claims involving a person who is Medicare eligible. Non-compliance penalties for employers can be severe and extremely expensive.
Click here to view the full article
 
Recent Workers' Compensation Case Law
by Thomas Biskobing, Levy & Biskobing
Return-to-work programs have always been an important tool for employers to keep their workers' compensation costs down. Recently there have been three key Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) decisions that make return-to-work programs more important than ever.
 
Helpful Resources
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
 
 
New at Woodruff-Sawyer! The CARE Program
 
At Woodruff-Sawyer, we are dedicated to making a positive impact in our community. In 2008, we created a group focused exclusively on collaborating with local non-profit organizations to help create an environment that improves the lives of those around us. The C.A.R.E. group, which stands for Community, Action, Responsibility, Enhancement, has thus far worked with organizations focused on educational opportunities for at-risk youth, homelessness, elimination of poverty and more. For a full list of CARE initiatives in 2008, visit the CARE 2008 site. In 2009, CARE will be focusing on activities include mentorship programs for bay area youth, environmental sustainability events, and assisting with financial literacy courses for elementary and middle-school children.  If you have any questions, please email woodruff-sawyer@wsandco.com.
 
 
Woodruff-Sawyer & Co. is one of the largest independent insurance brokerage firms in the nation, and is an active partner of International Benefits Network and Assurex Global. For more than 90 years, Woodruff-Sawyer has been partnering with clients to implement and manage cost-effective and innovative insurance, employee benefits and risk management solutions, both nationally and abroad. Headquartered in San Francisco, Woodruff-Sawyer has offices throughout California and in Portland, Oregon.
For more information, call 415.391.2141 or visit www.wsandco.com.