ALFA International Publications

Since the Federal Aviation Administration has approved drones for commercial use, they have become the way of the future.  Industries such as agriculture, construction, energy, insurance, and real estate, are just a few using drones as the way of the future. Even package delivery by drone will soon be a common part of our everyday lives. Within the construction industry, drones and the rea…

Cyber coverage can be traced back to Errors and Omissions (E&O policies) issued to technology companies. These initial cyber coverages were usually added to E&O policies as “network security” or “internet liability” coverage. 1990s The earliest cyber liability insurance generally consisted of policies covering online media or errors in data processing. These policies excluded first-party c…

Status of Covid-Related Claims Seeking Business Income Losses No discussion of recent coverage developments would be complete without discussion of the trend of decisions addressing the flood of claims seeking business income, extra expense, and civil authority coverages under property policies for government-ordered shutdowns related to COVID-19. Though the volume of court filings for these claim…

Preparing Your Soul for Rule 30(b)(6) Depositions It has kept all of us awake at night.  The biggest case on our desk may sink or swim based on the testimony of a particular company witness.  It may be an officer or manager whose testimony will bind the company.  It could be a current or former rank and file employee, which presents an even different set of concerns.  It goes without saying that t…

Until 2011, an individual possessing less than half an ounce of cannabis in Connecticut could have been charged with, and found guilty of, a class C misdemeanor and imprisoned for up to three months.[1]  However, in 2011, Connecticut decriminalized cannabis use, although one could still be charged with an infraction for possessing small amounts.[2]  More recently, on June 22, 2021, Governor Lamont…

Why Conduct a Mock Trial?[1] The emphasis in a trial is on advocacy and involves listening, questioning, thinking, and learning. Analysis and sound reasoning coupled with effective communication to a judge and jurors is paramount to success in a mock trial. The modern approach of conducting a mock trial provides attorneys with a great advantage of, among other things, assisting with case evaluatio…

Many companies and other organizations are turning to biometric data for security.  Biometrics are biological measurements and include fingerprints, retinal scans, handprints, and face scans.  These can allow access to computers, computer programs, and access into secured locations.  The use of biometric data has increased since 2020 as a way to reduce physical interactions.  The rise of two step …

There are four main types of data breaches. Make no mistake: one of them will personally affect each and every professional. Hacker attack:  An attempt to disable computers, steal data, or use a breached computer system to launch additional attacks. Cybercriminals use different methods to launch such a cyberattack, including malware, phishing, ransomware, man-in-the-middle (perpetrator positions h…

Expert witnesses in medical negligence cases – a practical guide The greatest impediment to securing the best expert(s) for your case is neither a dearth of experts nor the tools to locate them. The number one impediment is time or, rather, the limited time busy lawyers and their staff can spend finding and retaining experts.  This article is intended as a guide to assist busy lawyers and their bu…

Mitigating Professional Malpractice Risks: Legal And Ethical Challenges Of Mental Health And Substance Abuse Issues Everyone knows it exists, some choose to ignore it, but what exactly can we do about it? It is no secret that mental health and substance abuse issues are prevalent among professionals. These issues present many risks for professional liability insurers and employers. The most obviou…