California Family Rights Act (CFRA):
Similar to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), CFRA grants leave to care for a domestic partner, but explicitly excludes pregnancy-related disabilities. Typically, CFRA leave cannot run concurrently with Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL); however, once PDL concludes, twelve weeks of CFRA leave may be taken consecutively to care for a newborn.
Cancellation, Pro-Rata:
A method of canceling an insurance policy where the premium charged for the shortened term is proportionate to the full-term premium, based on the ratio of the expired period to the original policy term.
Cancellation, Short Rate:
A method of canceling an insurance policy at a premium rate higher than pro-rata, often applied when a policy is canceled by the insured before the policy term ends.
Care, Custody and Control:
A liability exclusion that denies coverage for damage to another’s property while it is under Chapman University’s direct care, custody, or control.
Case Evaluation and Plan (CEP):
A document prepared by defense counsel within 30 days of assignment. It assesses the case’s merits, identifies potential defenses, and provides a recommended budget.
Case Evaluation and Plan Analysis:
A document prepared by defense counsel after a trial or settlement, analyzing the accuracy and effectiveness of the original CEP.
Case Reserves:
Funds designated to cover a specific claim, with the amount adjusted over time as new information emerges.
Casualty Insurance:
A broad insurance category encompassing various subclasses, primarily focused on coverage against legal liability claims by third parties, as well as certain unrelated coverages.
Catastrophe:
A sudden, severe event resulting in exceptionally large losses.
Causation (Workers’ Compensation):
A legal determination that the employment caused or contributed to an illness or injury.
Cause of Action:
The legal basis on which a lawsuit can be filed against another party.
Cede:
The act of purchasing reinsurance, transferring a portion of risk from the primary insurer to a reinsurer.
Ceding Insurance Pool:
A pool or insurer that places its original risks with a reinsurer.
Certificate of Insurance:
A document confirming that a particular entity or property has insurance coverage in effect.
Claim:
A request for payment or an assertion of a right to compensation due to damages. This may be made against Chapman University or under its insurance or coverage agreements. It also includes notifications that a loss event may have occurred.
- First Party Claim: A property claim submitted by the insured department or employee.
- Small Court Claims: Damage claims not exceeding $5,000, handled within the California Small Claims Court system.
- Third Party Claim: A liability claim filed by an external party alleging bodily injury or property damage caused by Chapman University.
- Tort Claim: A third-party liability claim alleging Chapman University’s negligence or statutory/contractual liability resulting in bodily injury or property damage.
- Closed Claim: A claim that requires no further action and is no longer being actively managed.
- Litigated Claim: A claim where the claimant is represented by legal counsel or, in workers’ compensation cases, an application for adjudication has been filed.
- General Liability Claims (GL): Claims involving bodily injury or property damage to third parties (e.g., slip-and-fall, excessive force, civil rights violations).
- Vehicle Liability Claims (AL): Claims involving bodily injury or property damage from the operation of an insured vehicle.
- Medical Malpractice Claims (MEDMAL): Claims arising from alleged professional negligence in the provision or administration of medical treatment.
- Contract Tort Liability Claim (CL): Claims stemming from alleged breaches of contracts or agreements that result in tort liability.
- Professional Liability Claims (PL): Claims arising from professional errors, omissions, or negligence.
- Medical Only Claim (MO): A work-related injury claim with no lost time away from work.
- Property Loss Allegations/Claims: Smaller property damage claims (under $5,000).
Claim, Accepted (Workers’ Compensation):
A claim recognized by the claims adjuster or administrator as valid and covered by workers’ compensation.
Claim Form (Workers’ Compensation):
The official form used to report a work-related injury or illness to the employer.
Claimant:
An individual or entity making a claim.
Claim Assignment:
The process of designating a claim or lawsuit to a specific individual or entity for adjustment or handling.
Claim Frequency and Severity:
- Frequency: The rate at which claims or accidents occur.
- Severity: The measure of how serious those claims or accidents are.
Claim Liability:
Funds set aside to cover all current and anticipated claims, including claim adjustment expenses and reserves for claims not yet reported (IBNR).
Claims Administrator:
The individual or organization responsible for adjusting workers’ compensation claims on behalf of an employer; may also be referred to as a “claims examiner,” “claims adjuster,” or “third-party administrator (TPA).”
Claims Made Insurance:
Coverage that applies to claims reported (made) during the policy period, regardless of when the loss event actually occurred.
Closed Claim:
A claim that requires no additional action or benefits and is no longer actively managed.
Coinsurance:
A provision requiring Chapman University to pay a proportional share of total premiums or losses.
Collective Bargaining Agreement:
A written contract between an employer and a labor union, outlining terms, conditions, rights, and responsibilities related to the employment relationship.
Collision Insurance:
Coverage for losses to insured property resulting from colliding with another object or from the property’s upset.
Compensation (Workers’ Compensation):
Benefits paid to employees for work-related injuries or illnesses.
Completed Operations:
Liability coverage for accidents arising from operations that have been finished or abandoned.
Compromise and Release (C&R):
A final workers’ compensation settlement where the injured worker receives a lump sum payment, typically resolving all remaining issues except future vocational rehabilitation. The worker may become responsible for future medical care for the injury.
Condemnation:
The legal process by which private property is taken for public use.
Condition (Insurance Policy):
Policy provisions that can limit, delay, or negate coverage depending on compliance with specific terms.
Consequential Damage or Loss:
Losses resulting indirectly from damage to property, rather than from the direct damage itself.
Constructive Total Loss:
When the cost of salvaging or repairing damaged property is equal to or greater than the property’s pre-loss value.
Consultative Rating (Workers’ Compensation):
A permanent disability rating provided by the Division of Workers’ Compensation Disability Evaluation Unit in contested or attorney-represented claims. (See Permanent Disability Rating.)
Contract of Adhesion:
An insurance contract or coverage agreement offered on a “take it or leave it” basis, with limited bargaining power for the insured.
Corridor Deductible:
An additional amount the insured must pay after a primary deductible and before reinsurance coverage applies.
Cost/Benefit Analysis:
Evaluating the total anticipated expenses of adjusting or litigating a claim against the probable settlement or trial outcome to determine the most cost-effective approach.
Credibility:
The degree of reliability assigned to a set of loss data for actuarial analyses. Larger or more comprehensive data sets generally yield higher credibility.
Cumulative Trauma (CT):
A type of work-related injury or illness caused by repetitive actions or exposures over time (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome from repetitive motion).
