Heightened public focus on police accountability in incidents of misconduct is pushing up payouts for law enforcement claims, according to Michael Othworth, vice president and senior unit claim manager of Genesis Management and Insurance Services’ Stamford, Connecticut business. The average payout from a wrongful death lawsuit filed against the city has jumped by more than 50 percent since 2010, he said. While municipalities need good legal counsel to manage the severity of the claims environment, they also need to look at the upside risk, he said. The rise in claims also comes alongside the US Supreme Court and federal appellate courts’ moves to expand protection for government officials.
Heightened public focus on police accountability in incidents of misconduct is pushing up payouts for law enforcement claims, according to Michael Othworth, vice president and senior unit claim manager of Genesis Management and Insurance Services’ Stamford, Connecticut business. The average payout from a wrongful death lawsuit filed against the city has jumped by more than 50 percent since 2010, he said. The rise in claims also comes alongside the US Supreme Court and federal appellate courts’ moves to expand protection for government officials.