New Chubb Whitepaper Underscores Need for Healthcare Organizations to Address a Range of Environmental Exposures

Day-to-day operations, construction projects, and mergers and acquisitions expose healthcare companies to pollution-related risk

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Chubb

Oct 01, 2018, 11:30 ET

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., Oct. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Chubb has released a new whitepaper, "Environmental Exposures Heighten Risks for the Healthcare Industry," that explores environmental exposures due to day-to-day operations, construction projects, and mergers and acquisitions, and stresses the need for healthcare organizations to partner with industry risk management professionals to help assess, plan, and provide training and compliance services to address a range of environmental risks facing the industry.

"The U.S. healthcare industry is experiencing dramatic changes," said Caroline Clouser, Executive Vice President, Chubb Healthcare. "While legislation has been at the forefront, an aging population and greater access to insurance are spurring demand in the healthcare field, putting greater stress on existing buildings and increasing the need for new and updated hospitals, outpatient and long-term care facilities."

"The need has never been greater for organizations of all sizes to partner with an experienced insurer to help them fully understand the exposures they face and develop a customized risk management program that incorporates the right combination of risk mitigation strategies and insurance coverage," added Ms. Clouser.

According to Chubb's internal research, environmental exposures for the healthcare industry are compounded by the need to safeguard patients who may be more susceptible to injuries arising from pollution conditions or incidents. In addition, the medical and hazardous wastes generated by healthcare facilities heighten their risk management and insurance challenges, because liability arising out of waste and pollution may not be covered under their general liability and property policies.

Environmental exposures facing healthcare providers can include Legionella, one form of bacteria that causes the potentially fatal Legionnaires' Disease; mold and its spores, which can spread through a heating or ventilation system or released during construction and sicken patients, causing significant liabilities; and medical and 'red bag' waste, which contains infectious or pathological materials that pose dangers for health workers, maintenance staff and others who come into contact with them.

In addition, healthcare organizations should be prepared to address a number of environmental liabilities often associated with new construction projects and acquiring properties.

Chubb's paper also highlights the impact of changing federal, state and local environmental regulation.

To view the full whitepaper, click here.

About Chubb
Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company, and the largest commercial insurer in the United States. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London and other locations, and employs approximately 31,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at www.chubb.com.

SOURCE Chubb