[SBU Board] Level Setting

[Tracey Guice]

I was at the tournament. I was one of the people who provided aid to Billie
and asked Kim to call 911. I stayed with her until they arrived. I did not
get the sense that Billie was blaming the tournament for the fall.

Tracey

On Thursday, October 19, 2017, Monty Gray <mlgrayjr at gmail.com> wrote:

> I wouldn’t worry too much about it.  From your description I don’t see any
> basis for a claim, and Ms. Coopwood doesn’t seem to be considering one.
> Nevertheless, you did the right thing in notifying USI and Forest Ridge.  I
> can’t think of any other steps that should be considered at this stage.
>
>
>
> If a claim were to be made, usually an insurance company can’t avoid its
> obligations under the policy because of delay in giving notice unless it
> can show that it was somehow prejudiced in defending against the claim.
> That doesn’t seem to be the case here.  The interval between the incident
> and the notice wasn’t long; and besides, we had no particular reason to
> think there might be a claim – and still don’t.  Still, it was appropriate
> to put the carrier on notice.
>
>
>
> As John knows, I’m neither a personal-injury lawyer nor an insurance
> lawyer; but I’ve had a little exposure to almost everything in the nature
> of litigation, and that’s my understanding.  John, if you have anything to
> add, please jump in.
>
>
>
> Best to all,
>
>
>
> Monty Gray
>
>
>
> *From: *Tim White <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','trkwhite at gmail.com');>
> *Sent: *Thursday, October 19, 2017 5:57 PM
> *To: *Seattle ACBL Unit Board
> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','sbuboard at mailman.celestial.com');>
> *Subject: *[SBU Board] Level Setting
>
>
>
> U446 board members and incoming board members,
>
>
>
> I'd like to bring everyone up to date on developments in the aftermath of
> a call I received yesterday from Billie Coopwood, the lady who had a fall
> at the Sun Tan sectional this past July.
>
>
>
> Following the call yesterday from Billie, I alerted the other officers of
> our unit, David, and Kim Eng, our Forest Ridge focal, to the situation.
> David tracked down and furnished the certificate of liability insurance
> coverage (that he acquired) for the 2017 Sun Tan sectional.  In the course
> of these communications it was noted that some insurance policies include a
> provision that if the policyholder neglects to inform the carrier of an
> actual or *potential* claim, and then that claim ensues, the carrier may
> bear no further responsibility to the policyholder on the matter.
> Accordingly, today I called and alerted Shonda Smith of USI, our liability
> insurance carrier, to the situation.  At her request I also followed up
> with the email below (please read it).
>
>
>
> I phoned Kim and encouraged her in the strongest terms to have Forest
> Ridge likewise alert its liability insurance carrier of the potential for a
> claim in this matter, in order to protect Forest Ridge's position regarding
> applicability of its liability coverage in this matter.
>
>
>
> I called Joe Jones, ACBL Chief Financial Officer, to inform him of the
> matter.
>
>
>
> I sent a note to Monty asking if in his view there are other actions we
> might consider at this point in the matter.  (Welcome to the board Monty!)
>
>
>
> While the risk of a suit in this matter might appear to be quite low, the
> responsible course of action is to take whatever steps we see as prudent.
>
>
>
> If anyone has other suggestions or concerns, please share them.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Tim
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Begin forwarded message:
>
>
>
> *From: *Tim White <trkwhite at gmail.com
> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','trkwhite at gmail.com');>>
>
> *Subject: Alert to an Accident at Our Bridge Tournament*
>
> *Date: *October 19, 2017 12:17:20 PM PDT
>
> *To: *shonda.smith at usi.com
> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','shonda.smith at usi.com');>
>
> *Cc: *John Weinberg <judgejohn at msn.com
> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','judgejohn at msn.com');>>, Kim Eng <
> Keng at forestridge.org
> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','Keng at forestridge.org');>>
>
>
>
> Shonda,
>
>
>
> Thank you for taking my call today.  As you requested, I'm providing here
> a summary of the accident.
>
>
>
> Our Seattle Bridge Unit 446, on July 14-16, 2017, ran a sectional
> tournament at Forest Ridge School, 4800 139th Ave. SE, Bellevue, WA 98006.
>   We obtained from USI a Certificate of Liability Insurance, attached,
> which names Forest Ridge School as the Certificate Holder.
>
>
>
> During a session of play on Saturday, a player, Billie Coopwood, fell in
> the playing area.  She hit her head as she fell.  Folks nearby came to her
> aid.  Billie was transported by ambulance to an emergency room.  I
> contacted her partner, Jim Hamilton, seeking information on Billie's
> condition.  He responded with the following by email:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *"Hi Tim,Just to let you know: Billie was seen at the emergency room and
> released, and she got to rest (mostly) comfortably yesterday. She has a
> beautiful shiner, but doesn't think she can get away with "You should see
> the other guy" though--she just isn't a (physical) fighter. I'm sure she
> would appreciate a phone call. Her cell is 512-699-3326 <512-699-3326>.
> (And the number you have for mine is correct.)I appreciate your
> concern. Thanks,Jim H"*
>
>
>
> I sent Billie a get well card, which she said she appreciated and she
> acknowledged with a card of thanks.
>
>
>
> *The reason I am alerting you to this matter is that yesterday I received
> a phone call from Billie.*   She said she was filling out paperwork for
> her insurance company and needed the address of the playing site, which I
> gave her.  In the course of our phone conversation, Billie characterized
> her fall as an accident where she misstepped.  I clearly got the sense she
> feels it was something only of her own doing.  I asked Billie if she has
> had any lingering effects or other problems since the fall.  She said she
> has not and that she has had no care or treatment subsequent to her release
> from the emergency room on the day of the accident.  She said she
> understands how challenging it is to line up sites for our sectionals and
> would not want this incident to impact being able to go back to Forest
> Ridge.  She said she does not know whether her insurance company plans to
> be in touch with the Seattle Bridge Unit and/or Forest Ridge School
> concerning this matter, but I asked that if she gets any indication that it
> intends to do so to please give me a call -- and she said she would.
>
>
>
> Please let me know if there is further information we can provide.
>
>
>
> Please reply acknowledging receipt of this email.
>
>
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Tim White
>
> Seattle Bridge Unit
>
> cell:  206-979-9041
>
>
>
>
>
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