Searching the internet, I came across an interesting story about a suburb with too many lawsuits...leading its insurance provider to pack up and leave. As we are about to head into the holiday and lawsuit filing season, I thought it made for an interesting read.

I fear that this is the road we are heading down with the interesting new disciplinary track we are on. The town mentioned in the story is merely a coincidence.

"Too many lawsuits have Oak Forest searching for new insurance carrier

Lawsuits filed against the city of Oak Forest have proved too much of a risk
for its insurance company. At a committee meeting Tuesday, city insurance
broker Ken Morrow told city council members Scottsdale Insurance Company wanted to drop the city's professional liability policy. The reason for the cancellation is because of four lawsuits filed against the city over the last few years. One has been settled while three are pending. Professional liability covers the city's hiring and firing practices, taking care of someone when they are in police custody and public officials' liability. Officials declined to go into specifics about the pending cases but indicated that there is one case pending in each of those three areas covered by professional liability. "The loss ratio is very poor due to three claims over the last five years," Morrow said.

Morrow said the loss ratio could be considered poor even though the cases have yet to be decided because of the amount paid out for attorneys' fees and court costs.

A settlement amount doesn't have to be figured in for a case to be considered a loss. Besides the three cases pending, the city also lost a breach of contract case recently. A labor arbitrator also ruled against the city recently, ordering former public works employee Don Hall to be put back on the payroll after his employment was terminated last year. But Morrow said that particular case did not factor into Scottsdale's decision to drop the city's policy. Rather than try to find an insurance carrier to write just the professional liability policy, the city will find a whole new insurance company that will also cover property and casualty and workers compensation as well, Morrow said. Morrow said after the meeting it will be difficult to predict how the matter would affect the city's premiums. He said six companies have shown interest with two willing to provide coverage for all of the city's policies. He said Scottsdale's decision not to provide coverage was a "concern" but not "alarming.""

Some lawsuits descriptions to follow.

Do I know someone who used to be village manager in Oak Forest?