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Businesses are being urged to check their websites for critical security flaws in widely used software after hackers made millions of attempts to exploit them.

The flaws affect PHP, a programming language used to power an estimated 70% of websites. Companies using affected versions should quickly update the software or work with their website developers and hosting providers to ensure the fixes are installed.

No business ever wants to be audited, but in the world of workers' compensation insurance it's a regular occurrence. Still, an audit does not need to be a stressful event.

The key to a smooth workers' comp audit is organizing your paper and electronic records so you can provide the required documents swiftly. If you heed the following seven tips, they can save you stress and perhaps money.

Your employees should learn to recognize and prevent workplace hazards, and that starts with safety training during orientation.

Each workplace has different hazards: an ice cream shop will not face the same risks as an architectural firm, a warehouse or even an office. However, many workplaces share common risks.

The key is to train your staff to recognize and address your workplace's most prevalent risks. The following hazards can serve as a starting point for training.

One of the most unpleasant accidents for a motorist is hitting a deer, another wild animal or livestock.

Motorists are most likely to collide with deer, elk or moose in the fall and early winter, during mating season, as well as in spring after the animals have given birth. If you are driving through a rural area, cattle may escape their enclosures and wander onto the roadway.

But will your insurance cover the damage?

California employers that use artificial intelligence to monitor workers, evaluate performance or make employment decisions will face new restrictions under two measures recently signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The laws establish requirements for employers using AI and automated technology in workforce reductions, employee surveillance, disciplinary actions and terminations. One takes effect Jan. 1, 2027, while the other takes effect July 1, 2027. Employers should begin reviewing their technology and employment practices now to prepare for compliance.

Commercial auto insurance rates continue to rise as skyrocketing litigation costs and increasingly large jury awards drive claims expenses higher, according to a new report by insurance rating agency A.M. Best Co.

The trend is particularly troubling for businesses that operate vehicle fleets or employ large numbers of drivers, as insurers tighten underwriting standards, raise deductibles and retentions and become more selective about the risks they insure. Here's what's going on and what your company can do.

Business interruption insurance claims are becoming significantly more expensive due to longer recovery periods, supply-chain constraints and inflation.

A new report found that the average BI claim exceeded $950,000 in 2025, up 30% from 2023. The findings underscore the need for businesses to have contingency plans in place in case operations stop or are severely disrupted after an event.

As states relax their laws and cannabis use becomes more mainstream, employers are increasingly exposed to costly workers' compensation claims and lawsuits if employees report to work impaired or indulge during a break.

Cannabis can affect reaction time, coordination, concentration and judgment, increasing the potential for accidents, particularly among workers who drive, operate machinery or perform hazardous tasks. These effects can put employees, coworkers and third parties at risk of injury.

What would your employees do in an emergency? Are they prepared for the unexpected? Do they know whom to call for help? Are they qualified to help? If you answered yes to these questions, then great, but if you answered no, you may need to start work on a written emergency plan.

Having one in place can save lives in case of a fire or other emergency by providing a road map of what employees and management should do.

Lawsuits against businesses are filed on a near-daily basis, and for many firms, it's only a matter of time before they are sued, particularly public-facing operations like retailers, restaurants and gyms.

Whether frivolous or legitimate, these lawsuits can eat away at your firm's funds as you mount a defense. The key to any general liability defense is solid documentation, which requires that supervisors, managers and executives understand the importance of preserving evidence and keeping a paper trail.

More than 20 million Americans enrolled in traditional Medicare are receiving one-time $90 payments from the federal government this month to help offset rising standard Medicare Part B premiums, which will rise to $209.50 per month in 2027 from $202.90 in 2026.

Do you qualify for this payment?

Medicare beneficiaries may face higher prescription drug costs and fewer coverage choices in 2027, making it especially important to review their Part D plans during this year's open enrollment period.

While average monthly premiums for stand-alone Part D plans are expected to rise slightly, higher deductibles, increased out-of-pocket limits and changes in drug coverage could leave some seniors paying considerably more. As open enrollment is in full swing, take time now to review your current plan for changes that could affect your costs or coverage.