LegalFix

§33-20B-8. Insurers Required to Report Results of Civil Actions Against Physicians or Podiatrists; Penalties for Failure to Report; Notice and Hearing

WV Code § 33-20B-8 (2019) (N/A)
Copy with citation
Copy as parenthetical citation

(a) Every insurer issuing, or issuing for delivery in this state, a professional liability policy or providing professional liability insurance to health care providers, including, but not limited to, physicians, osteopathic physicians or surgeons, podiatrists or chiropractors, hospitals, medical clinics, professional limited liability companies, medical corporations or partnerships in this state shall submit to the commissioner, within sixty days from the date of entry of any judgment or dismissal without payment, the date a release is executed in connection with a settlement or the date a file is closed on any claim in which a law suit has not been filed involving the insured, the following information:

(1) The date of any judgment, dismissal or settlement;

(2) Whether any appeal has been taken on the judgment and, if so, by which party;

(3) The amount of any settlement or judgment against the insured;

(4) Whether the claim was the subject of mediation;

(5) Whether any settlement of a claim was made in a lump sum payment, a structured settlement or a combination of the two; and

(6) Any other information required by the commissioner.

For purposes of this section, "claim" means a third-party request for indemnification.

(b) If there is any additional resolution, including appellate decision or other subsequent action, the insurer shall file a supplemental report to the commissioner.

(c) The West Virginia insurance guaranty association created pursuant to article twenty-six of this chapter and the state Board of Risk and Insurance Management created pursuant to article twelve, chapter twenty-nine of this code are subject to the reporting requirements of subsection (a) of this section.

(d) Any insurer or entity that fails to report any information required to be reported under this section is subject to a civil money penalty to be imposed by the Insurance Commissioner. Upon a determination of the commissioner that there is probable cause to believe that any insurer or entity has failed or refused to make a report required by this section, the commissioner shall provide written notice to the alleged violator stating the nature of the alleged violation. Upon written request of the alleged violator within thirty days of the date of the commissioner's written notice, the commissioner shall notify the alleged violator of the time and place of a hearing at which the alleged violator may appear to show good cause why a civil penalty should not be imposed. The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of article five, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code.

(e) If the commissioner determines that a violation of this section has occurred, the commissioner shall assess a civil penalty of not less than $1,000 nor more than $10,000 per violation. Anyone so assessed shall be notified of the assessment in writing and the notice shall specify the reasons for the assessment. If the alleged violator requests a hearing, as provided in subsection (d) of this section, the commissioner may not make his or her determination of violation and assessment until the conclusion of the hearing. The amount of penalty collected shall be deposited in the General Revenue Fund.

(f) If any violator fails to pay the amount of the penalty assessment to the commissioner within thirty days after issuance of notice of the penalty assessment, the commissioner may institute a civil action in the circuit court of Kanawha County to recover the amount of the assessment. In any civil action, the court's review of the commissioner's action shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of section four, article five, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code.

(g) No person or entity may be held liable in any civil action with respect to any report made pursuant to this section if the report was made without knowledge of any falsity of the information contained in the report.

LegalFix

Copyright ©2024 LegalFix. All rights reserved. LegalFix is not a law firm, is not licensed to practice law, and does not provide legal advice, services, or representation. The information on this website is an overview of the legal plans you can purchase—or that may be provided by your employer as an employee benefit or by your credit union or other membership group as a membership benefit.

LegalFix provides its members with easy access to affordable legal services through a network of independent law firms. LegalFix, its corporate entity, and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and contractors do not provide legal advice, services, or representation—directly or indirectly.

The articles and information on the site are not legal advice and should not be relied upon—they are for information purposes only. You should become a LegalFix member to get legal services from one of our network law firms.

You should not disclose confidential or potentially incriminating information to LegalFix—you should only communicate such information to your network law firm.

The benefits and legal services described in the LegalFix legal plans are not always available in all states or with all plans. See the legal plan Benefit Overview and the more comprehensive legal plan contract during checkout for coverage details in your state.

Use of this website, the purchase of legal plans, and access to the LegalFix networks of law firms are subject to the LegalFix Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

We have updated our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosures. By continuing to browse this site, you agree to our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosures.
§33-20B-8. Insurers Required to Report Results of Civil Actions Against Physicians or Podiatrists; Penalties for Failure to Report; Notice and Hearing