An island law firm is to hold a seminar on developments which could affect the insurance industry.

Kennedys Bermuda will continue the tradition of its predecessor firm Sedgwick Chudleigh and hold a “Hot Topics” session to discuss legal trends in areas like the UK’s decision to quit the EU, the #MeToo anti-sexual harassment movement and an epidemic of opioid abuse in the United States.

Mark Chudleigh, managing partner of Kennedys, will host the seminar and give a presentation on public policy moves that will affect Bermudian-based insurers and the extent to which they are allowed to underwrite risks and pay claims related to awards of punitive damages and disgorgement of profits in the context of private and regulatory litigation.

Nick Williams, of Kennedys London office, will look at the potential impact of the UK leaving the EU and Dick Gentles, of the Chicago office, will highlight opioid abuse in America and the huge amount of litigation in the US courts, the industries involved and insurance coverage risks presented by the legal action.

Meg Catalano, of the Basking Ridge, New Jersey office, will highlight sexual abuse lawsuits filed by athletes, many of whom were youngsters at the time of the alleged assaults.

Mr Chudleigh said: “She will discuss legislative efforts at both the state and federal level to extend statutes of limitation and impose stricter requirements for reporting sexual abuse against minors.

“In addition, she will be speaking about potential coverage concerns and courts’ prior rulings on coverage issues including trigger and number of occurrences.”

He added: “Ms Catalano currently represents primary and excess insurers in connection with sexual abuse claims against policyholders that include USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University.”

Other international Kennedys lawyers will look at insurance exposure due to long-term damage caused by sports concussions and how the #MeToo campaign has affected how sexual harassment and sexual assault claims are evaluated by the courts.

The event, to be held at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute tomorrow starting at 2pm, is open to all insurance professionals.

• To register, e-mail Barbara.Chasty@KennedysLaw.com