~Issues of Interest~

Federal Employee Defense Services/FEDS Protection is excited to announce that it has added a $3 million civil liability coverage option to its program offerings.

Let’s begin by testing your knowledge of federal employee liability exposures. Please take this quick true / false quiz:

Professional liability exposures vary depending on the agency's mission and your responsibilities within the agency. The potential liabilities that exist and the reasons for obtaining PLI are oftentimes different and sometimes multifaceted. Professional exposures are based on the type of job you have, the position you hold, your employing agency and current events.

Here are just a few examples of allegations resulting in the need for federal employees to invoke their professional liability insurance benefits or hire his/her own lawyer:

Turn on the news. Professional liability exposure has increased exponentially over the last decade. Federal employee professional liability insurance is recommended, and even partially reimbursed for some, for a reason. There are three areas of exposure for federal employees -

Federal employees at all agencies are feeling the heat as one OIG investigation after another commences. Many are politically divisive with career federal employees primed for getting caught in the wide net of agency OIG investigations and facing consequences driven by demands for accountability, such as:

Federal Employee Defense Services/FEDS Protection is excited to announce its acquisition by CRC Group, a leading national wholesale distributor of specialty insurance products. This timely partnership will enable FEDS to...

If you’re a Fed, and you don’t know what Garrity & Kalkines warnings are – find out now! Here are a few links you may be interested in – or contact us for more information – 866.955.FEDS or feds@fedsprotection.com....

Since its formation in 2003, the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force, run by the U.S. Marshals Service, has arrested nearly 50,000 fugitives. Widely considered one of the nation’s most successful fugitive apprehension units, this...

On the November 24th episode of the FedUpward podcast, FEDS President Tony Vergnetti shared his reactions to recent news concerning OMB’s implementation of President Trump’s recent Schedule F Executive Order.

As of 11/1/2020, Hirshorn Foreign Service is no longer providing federal employee professional liability insurance (PLI). For all those insureds affected by this decision, FEDS Protection will honor your original Hirshorn retroactive date.

No one expects to be sued. No one expects to need to hire an attorney to protect their career. However, federal employees are increasingly vulnerable to civil lawsuits and administrative actions.

As the United States enters its sixth month of COVID-19-related shutdown in some form, the long-term behavioral impacts of the "new normal” are beginning to appear.

As the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have reverberated across the country, the federal government’s role in handling the pandemic is primed to come under intense scrutiny.

FEDS Protection came to be after FEDS founder, Anthony Vergnetti defended wildland firefighters in the Thirtymile and Cramer fires.  He had no idea that defending these federal employees would so drastically change the course of his life from an attorney defen...

The PEW Research Center surveyed law enforcement officers and U.S. adults amid protests and growing calls for the reform of law enforcement tactics and procedures – four years ago.  We recommend you review the...

If you are on the front lines of this pandemic, thank you so very much for your service and your sacrifices. We, like all of you, are praying for the sick, a cure, and a quick end to this crisis...

FEDS legal representation is one of the main reasons FEDS is recommended over all other carriers by the leading federal employee associations...

Federal (USDA, DHS, CDC, FDA) and state and local veterinarians are becoming increasingly concerned about the toll COVID-19 will have on them professionally. Agency and public health guidance isn’t keeping up with the rapidly changing circumstances whether you’re operating in a food processing plant, in a laboratory/diagnostic facility, or as a public health veterinarian...

Did you know that if you are directly accused of wrongdoing, particularly in an OIG or internal management investigation into allegations of wrongdoing, that you will not be assigned an agency attorney? Did you know that even if you are, the attorney’s job is to represent the agency – not you...

Law enforcement officers know that gang members and violent criminals commit ruthless, savage and heinous acts. Law enforcement officers are aware that criminals and criminal acts are becoming more brazen. Law enforcement officers understand that use of force is still the most debated law enforcement issue in America...

These words used to signify breaking news that was urgent and significant. Now, up to the minute news is available around the clock and almost all news segments and stories are sensationalized. Fake news? Real news? It doesn’t matter – ratings do...

So we all like our social media, but is it worth losing your job over? In just a few short years, social media has become an ubiquitous commodity in the workplace with a plethora of valuable uses. In short, it allows for employees to make and support...

Managers often think of liabilities in terms of being the deciding official for an applicant or being brought in for a congressional hearing and seem to overlook the many other exposures they are prone to in their position each day with their employees. As a...

You are dedicated. You are hardworking. You have an exemplary record! You would never need a lawyer to defend an act, error or omission in the course of your employment. Unfortunately, your phone call is the hardest one we receive and almost...

Whistleblower reprisal cases have increased six-fold in the last few years. Although most whistleblower reprisal cases are unsubstantiated, it is very easy to make targets of federal managers. More and more managers, supervisors and law enforcement officials...

The California wildfires are wreaking havoc among Californians, houses, businesses, schools. California’s largest wildfire in state history is all consuming with tough decisions being made each minute to contain the fire and deter further destruction...

As the new year begins, we reflect on the past year thinking about family, friends, work, the future. We refocus on what we want and how we get there. What we don’t always think about is how quickly life can change – and what we need to do now to be...

"I’m overwhelmed” has never been echoed by federal employees more than it is right now. And it’s not just CDC, FDA, and NIH employees. BOP, USDA, USPS, ICE, EPA and every other agency employee is calling FEDS Protection with questions regarding...

WASHINGTON, DC. (April 1, 2020) - State and local government veterinarians are now eligible for the same professional liability insurance protection as federal employees at the same price. Similar to federal veterinarians, state and local veterinarians primarily...

For various reasons, professional liability exposure has become substantially more prevalent in the last decade. If a program, policy, process, or event involving you or your agency is the next to come under scrutiny by the public, media or a politician, you...

During any problem, crisis or tragedy, tough decisions are made with the information on hand. Each decision can be scrutinized, with 20/20 hindsight, to determine if something else could or should have been done to hinder injuries. Agencies could come under fire...

FORT MEADE, MD. (January 13, 2020) - In keeping with its commitment to providing members with high quality insurance products at great prices, the Government Employees’ Benefit Association (GEBA) has replaced its professional liability insurance...

Washington, D.C. (October 15, 2019) - FEDS Protection and the Whistleblowers of America are proud to announce a new partnership to educate the federal community about whistleblowing. Federal employees who make the decision to report what is...

Washington, DC (October 1, 2019) - As the frontline of defense in federal court facilities, the daily interactions of Court Security Officers (CSOs) with sovereign citizens/anti-government extremists, gang members and other violent offenders have resulted in the...

Washington, DC (June 1, 2019) - FEDS Protection now provides its professional liability insurance to Federal Task Force Officers (TFOs). FEDS Protection appreciates the dangerous work and sacrifices these officers make alongside their federal counterparts...