North Franklin Township liability costs spike following settlements
Settlements in two complaints lodged by female members of the North Franklin Township police department against their coworkers have resulted in increased rates for liability insurance.
Township solicitor Gary Sweat said The Travelers Cos. has increased the deductible per claim for liability cases from $5,000 to $25,000.
He warned township supervisors last week to be careful not to get involved in litigation because of the rate change.
“That’s typical,” he said, referring to the rate change.
One woman sued the township for sexual discrimination on a claim that, while on maternity leave, she was overlooked for a full-time position.
In the other case, a female police officer claimed she was a victim of sexual harassment in the department.
Both cases were settled for about $50,000 each, Sweat said.
“Nobody admitted fault,” he said.
For a number of reasons, including financial problems, the township disbanded the police department at the end of 2018.
Sweat said the liability insurance deductible when he was solicitor in Hanover Township about 15 years ago reached $100,000 per case, mostly because of “excessive force” complaints against police on duty at an outdoor concert venue.