Senior living facilities remain under pressure from rising costs and staff shortages. Some are looking to reduce expenses through alternative liability insurance. New market entrants may offer lower prices, but is a new carrier the right solution over the long-term?

At 1:30 am on June 24, 2021, residents of the Champlain Towers in Surfside, Florida, woke to a deafening crash. When they looked outside, residents saw the complex's South Tower had partially collapsed. It appeared as if the building had disappeared into thin air (source 1). Ninety-eight people died in the tower collapse, and hundreds more were temporarily homeless. The investigation into the collapse is entering its third year, and a final report isn’t expected until late in 2024. The cause of the collapse remains unknown (source 1).

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) by law firms has recently become a hot topic of discussion. Definitive answers regarding the appropriateness of its use remain elusive. While technology evolves quickly and the conversation may change over time, it’s important to consider the potential issues around the use of generative AI. Currently, discussion with various law firms indicate that many firms are working to develop internal policies regarding the use of AI. Some have shared that they’re trying to get out ahead of the issue even as many lawyers are likely already utilizing AI. If so, policies are likely needed in relatively short order.

Technology impacts every aspect of our lives. From social media to biometrics or artificial intelligence, the world is changing at an astounding rate. Generally, technology makes life easier. It creates efficiency and enhances the ability to connect with others. However, technology also generates new risks, especially when companies deploy technology without fully considering the possible consequences, disadvantages, or how it may interact with the law.

Many private companies, especially early-stage startups, are struggling to find funding, and often, those that do are experiencing “down rounds.” In a down round, a company typically sells larger stakes to new investors at the same cost or less than what earlier investors paid, driving down the company’s valuation and diluting shareholder values in the process. Down rounds pose multiple risks, from reduced capital support, to shrinking confidence among investors and employees, as well as greater exposure to Directors and Officers (D&O) liability.