PROFESSIONAL
LIABILITY INSURANCE Lawsuits against Federal Government employees are increasing at an alarming rate. Members of the public, even fellow workers, can bring personal lawsuits against you. You are at risk whenever you are acting within the scope of your job including: +delegating
assignments Effective October 1, 1999, all Federal agencies are required to pay half the premium cost for most employees. The Federal Tort Claims Act states that the government can choose whether or not to defend you. It cannot cover any monetary damages awarded against you personally. Even if the Justice Department refuses to defend you, this plan picks up the full cost of your legal defense and pays covered damages awarded against you (up to the $1 million limit). This Professional Liability Insurance was specially designed to protect Federal Government employees. You are protected anywhere in the world against losses from lawsuits stemming from the performance of your official federal duties. This article offers a brief description of the Professional Liability Insurance plan. Details can be found in the Certificate of Insurance which will be mailed to you upon enrollment. Eligibility
Description of Benefits <> Protection against judgments involving personal injury, bodily injury and property damage within the scope of your employment. <> Protection against lawsuits that existed before the effective date of coverage provided as an insured that you had no knowledge of such suits. <> A discovery period of 36 months is effective the day you retire. <> Administrative legal defense coverage up to $100,000 to pay the costs of defense and monetary penalties during administrative proceedings for acts committed or alleged within the scope of your employment. Coverage is provided for Internal Agency Disciplinary Proceedings; Criminal Proceedings; and Judicial Sanctions for any monetary penalty. This plan pays for your defense cost even against groundless or fraudulent suits. This is in addition to your liability limit and is without limitation. There is no deductible, and where allowed by state law, this plan pays punitive damages up to your coverage limit. Effective
Date of Coverage Justice Department Consulted In Designing This Coverage This program was developed with the advice and consultation of attorneys in the Torts Claims Division of the Justice Department to provide the fullest protection possible for you as a government employee. They work in the field daily and are more acutely aware of your needs than anyone else. You should feel confident knowing this is the only professional liability policy developed with the advice of the Justice Department.
Coverage under this plan does not include: 1) Any obligation for which the insured or any carrier as his insurer may be held liable under any workers' compensation, unemployment compensation, disability benefits law, or other similar law. 2) Damages arising out of willful violation of a penal statue or penal ordinance committed by or with the knowledge or consent of the insured, or damages arising out of acts of fraud committed by or at the direction of the insured with affirmative dishonesty or actual intent to deceive or defraud. 3) Liability assumed by the insured under any contract or agreement. 4) Bodily injury arising out of the ownership, operation, or the use of any land motor vehicle designed for use principally on public highways, including any machinery or apparatus attached thereto, or any aircraft or watercraft. 5) Property damage to: a)
Property owned occupied by, or rented to the United States Government
or insured; 6) Any liability for hazardous substances, including asbestos. 7) Bodily injury or property damage resulting from accidents caused by nuclear materials.
|