Maryland Employment Related Practices
Don't let an off-handed comment ruin your business
Employment Related Practices liability coverage commonly referred to as EPLI coverage is a relatively new coverage but is a coverage that any business that has employees must carry. If you have a policy that is over 5 years old you might now have this coverage and your old policy is obsoleted.
Image an employee uses his office computer to send a joke to a co-worker that has a sexual connotation. Instead of the employee just sending the joke to his friend, he hit reply all and sent it to all members of the staff. A female employee receives the email and is offended and humiliated by the joke. She then files suit against the employer for creating a hostile work environment. Will your current coverage defend you in this lawsuit?
Not unless you have Employment Related Liability Insurance (EPLI) coverage. For most occupations this coverage can be endorsed to your liability insurance policy, but for other occupations it must be a separate insurance policy.
Common Employee/Employer lawsuits:
- Sexual Harassment
- Hostile work environment
- Discrimination
- Unfair hiring practices
- Retaliation
- Wrongful termination
- Wage and Hour disputes
According the EEOC the average claim is settled for $40,000 in damages. If a case goes to trial the average settlement increases to $213,000.
The figures do not include attorney fees. which the average cost for defense is between $45,000-115,000 depending on the type of claim. You do not have to do anything wrong to be sued. All that needs to happen is for some to accuse you of doing something wrong to start accumulating the attorney's fees. The EPLI policy will defend you against these false accusations as well.
The cost of Employment Practices Liability Coverage has been decreasing over the past 10 years and not the coverage is more affordable then ever. Don't wait any longer. If you have employees you have a need for this coverage.
Here are two reasons to get started right now!
- Don't wait any longer to make sure that you have a great EPLI policy and that you are saving as much money as possible.
- Get a no-risk proposal today to find out how affordable EPLI can be. Simply fill out the short form above and we'll get back to you within a day with a personalized Employment Practices Liability Insurance proposal.