Going to the Movies Proved Dangerous

Most people think of the local movie theater as a safe place for teens to go. Unfortunately, however, that’s not always true. A 17 year old girl was recently shot and killed at a movie theater in Bradenton, Florida.

Apparently, a fight was going on in the theater’s parking lot. A gun was fired and killed the young victim, who died just after two in the morning. Unfortunately, this is not the first time the movie theater has been the scene of a violent act. In 2010, five people were arrested in a brawl in the parking lot.

The crime is still being investigated, and no arrests have been made yet. This tragedy is proof, however, that all kinds of things can happen in life, many of them unexpected. That’s why offering insurance of all types and handling the claims management process are some of the most important jobs in the world.

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Florida Plane Crash Kills Father

What started out as a quiet father-daughter stroll along a Sarasota Beach quickly turned deadly. A plane making an emergency landing struck and killed the 36 year old father and critically injured his 10 year old daughter.

The young girl was rushed to the All Children’s Hospital of St. Petersburg and remains in critical condition. The small plane, containing only the pilot and one passenger, landed to avoid a crash. Both the people on the plane survived.

Tragic stories such as this one are proof that disaster can strike anytime, anywhere and that unexpected, even unthinkable, events happen without warning. For that reason, encourage all of your customers to be prepared to the fullest extent possible. Whether they need commercial insurance, property insurance, or anything in between, make sure they have all the coverage they need, even if it means referring them to other insurers for matters you can’t handle.

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• Plane crash-lands on US beach, killing father (newsinfo.inquirer.net)

Ground Zero Workers Diagnosed with Cancers

An alarming number of Ground Zero workers have been diagnosed with various types of cancer. In most cases, the cancer is believed to be directly related to the time spent working at the site.

This problem is not new. In fact, last year, over 1000 workers reported suffering from cancer, with many seeking compensation. Unfortunately, however, the number of cancer reports has risen significantly since then. Now, an estimated 2,500 workers have reported cancer.

Many of these workers are seeking compensation so that they can receive treatment or, in more serious case, to provide for their families after they are gone. Many sufferers have chosen to work with a professional insurance adjuster while others have reached out to programs designed to assist those who volunteered their time and assistance during the horrific attacks.

These sad reports prove that the effects of 9/11 are even more long-lasting than realized and affect not just the nation as a whole but individuals and their families as well.

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Elevator Surfing Leads to Death

Interior of an elevator shaft from an elevator surfer's point of view (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A twenty year old man was recently found dead in a New York City Housing Authority development. The young man was reportedly elevator surfing and was found lodged between the wall and the elevator’s car.

The victim resided in the building and had been riding atop the elevator, in a dangerous “hobby” known as elevator surfing. Elevator surfing, which is popular on college campuses, involves “surfing” atop an elevator, the top of which usually must be accessed by tampering with the system. Most deaths related to this activity occur when the surfer falls from the elevator or is crushed, as is the case with the victim in this incident.

While autopsy reports are yet to be released, there is little doubt that the victim died as a result of his dangerous actions. As such, the family is not likely to file for property insurance claims related to the death. However, there is some speculation that the family may try to sue the owners of the building or the manufacturers of the elevator. 

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Wreck Causes Damage to Home

When you think of car crashes, you probably don’t think of homes being damaged in the process. Unfortunately, however, that’s just what happened to a homeowner in Paterson, New Jersey.

When two vehicles collided at an intersection in the early morning hours, one car went flying right into a nearby home. The car immediately burst into flames, setting fire to the house.

The driver of the fiery car emerged and quickly collapsed on the ground. While the accident is still under investigation, there have been reports that the two drivers were engaging in illegal street racing.

Regardless of the cause of the accident, one driver was left in critical condition, a firefighter was injured, and the homeowners are likely to be working with an independent insurance adjuster soon, if they haven’t already, to assess the damages.

Obviously, accidents can happen anytime and anywhere, which is why it always pays to be prepared.

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Summer Storms Rock New Jersey

Last month, a series of severe and unexpected summer storms rocked many areas of New Jersey. Affected areas included the Camden, Gloucester, Burlington, and Monmouth areas.

Many counties were left with over an inch of rain on the ground, and over 10,000 people suffered from power outages as a result. Unfortunately, the storms aren’t over yet either. More, though less severe, are

expected to crop up over the next few days.

New Jersey is definitely known for unexpected weather, especially in light of recent events. And, as New Jersey residents know all too well, unexpected weather conditions often lead to catastrophes and property damages.

For that reason, it’s all the more important for insurance companies to have an adequate number of catastrophe claims adjuster professionals on staff or on hand and to properly train them for assessing weather related damages.

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Elderly Woman Injured in Home Robbery

Recently, an elderly woman in Hermitage, PA had her house broken into. The woman, whose ailing husband resides in a nursing home, was alone when her attacker forced his way into her home at around 10:30 p.m.

The male assailant threw the elderly woman down, hit her in the face, and then cut her with a utility knife. He then grabbed her purse, from which he took $5 cash before fleeing.  

The suspect is still at large. While a property claims adjuster will be able to help the woman with any damages to her home, the emotional damages she is suffering are likely far worse.

Fortunately, if caught, the attacker stands to be arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, breaking and entering, assault on a female, and other charges. Anyone with information relating to the tragic event is encouraged to contact Hermitage Police. 

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Hospital Perpetrator has Disturbing History

More information has recently come to light in the shooting incident at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby Pennsylvania. The incident, in which a psychiatric patient killed his caseworker and tried to kill his psychiatrist, who survived, has rocked the small community.

The psychiatrist in question survived only because he had his own weapon. Many believe that the brave doctor saved not only himself but others in the hospital as well.

The shooter had a long history of violence, much of which is just now coming to light, indicating he was more than capable of going on a “shooting spree.” The patient had been committed for mental health stays at least three times in the past, arrested for assault and drug-related crimes, and arrested four times on gun-related charges.

Given his history, most are simply grateful that this horrific incident did not turn out any worse. The hospital itself is likely working with an insurance adjuster at this time to see what, if any, damages will be covered and if business interruption coverage will be accessible. Whether or not shootings, which are becoming more common, are considered “disasters” is a hot topic of debate in many states.

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