The insurer’s right of subrogation is equitable in nature, even if not based in contract. However, since the insurer steps into the shoes of its insured and is limited to the rights of its insured, an integral part of the investigation process is determining what rights the insured has. Whether or not the insured can settle with the tortfeasor and that whether the settlement … [Read more...] about New York Preserves Subrogation Rights
Legal Case Law
Pesky Facts Result in a Denial of Summary Judgment in a Post-Settlement Allocation Case
Since the 1970s cedents and reinsurers have been battling over long-term environmental pollution damage. Disputes have arisen over the number of retentions that the cedent should take, the manner in which settlement with the insured should be allocated and other issues. In a recent case, a reinsurer sought summary judgment on a cedent’s breach of contract claim over a specific … [Read more...] about Pesky Facts Result in a Denial of Summary Judgment in a Post-Settlement Allocation Case
Third Circuit Reverses; Dismisses LTL’s “Texas Two-Step” Bankruptcy Case
In the AIRROC Annual 2022, the authors published “Dancing to the Beat of Divisive Mergers; The ‘Texas Two-Step’ Bankruptcy Strategy,” summarizing the strategy and discussing several recent cases.1 Most notably, the LTL Management, LLC (Johnson & Johnson) case was discussed in detail. In that case, the talc claimants and others filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that the … [Read more...] about Third Circuit Reverses; Dismisses LTL’s “Texas Two-Step” Bankruptcy Case
Just Decided – New Jersey Supreme Court: Insurers Can Look to Extrinsic Evidence to Deny a Defense
Last week, the New Jersey Supreme Court decided Norman International, Inc. v. Admiral Insurance Company, No. 086155 (N.J. Aug. 11, 2022). At issue was coverage for a work-site injury and the interpretation of a policy exclusion for operations or activities performed by an insured in certain counties in New York. The case is significant in terms of addressing causation for … [Read more...] about Just Decided – New Jersey Supreme Court: Insurers Can Look to Extrinsic Evidence to Deny a Defense
Follow-the-Fortunes Rejected By 11th Circuit
Follow-the-fortunes is a reinsurance concept that often is misconstrued. Some wish to impose it on every reinsurance contract regardless of whether a follow-the-fortunes clause exists. Cedents invoke it to compel payment from their reinsurers. In a recent case, the Eleventh Circuit had an opportunity to weigh in on whether the follow-the-fortunes doctrine should be inferred … [Read more...] about Follow-the-Fortunes Rejected By 11th Circuit
QuickStudy: Dobbs and the Future of Health Plan Abortion Coverage
The Supreme Court’s June 24 ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health eliminating the constitutional right to an abortion, and leaving states to regulate or restrict the procedure, has created a complex and tangled web of federal and state laws surrounding abortion. The challenge is particularly fraught for health plans that wish to provide coverage of medically necessary … [Read more...] about QuickStudy: Dobbs and the Future of Health Plan Abortion Coverage
The Real Issue In The Sex In A Car Case That Everyone Is Talking About
And Now for Something Completely Different…Auto Insurer Covers Insured’s Dashboard Dalliance?? In M.O. v. GEICO General Ins. Co. No. WD84722 (Mo. Ct. App. June 7, 2022), a Missouri appellate court has confirmed a $5.2M arbitration award against GEICO in favor of petitioner M.O. who alleged that having unprotected sex with GEICO’s insured in his 2014 Hyundai Genesis caused her … [Read more...] about The Real Issue In The Sex In A Car Case That Everyone Is Talking About
Massachusetts Federal Court Rejects Adria Towers, Finds Construction Defects Not an “Occurrence”
In an important ruling for insurers, U.S. District Court Judge Patti Saris found that Massachusetts does not follow the position taken in Cypress Point Condo Association v. Adria Towers, LLC, 226 N.J. 403, 418 (2016), i.e., it does not hold that "faulty workmanship claims [should be recognized] as ... an 'occurrence,' thus triggering coverage, 'so long as the allegedly … [Read more...] about Massachusetts Federal Court Rejects Adria Towers, Finds Construction Defects Not an “Occurrence”
The Second Circuit Decision in Utica Mutual v. Munich Re: Some Clarity on Three Fronts
On July 29, 2021, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued its ruling on the appeal of Utica Mutual Insurance Company (“Utica”) from the decision of the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York in the dispute between Utica and Munich Reinsurance America, Inc. (“MRAm”). The court affirmed the decision of the court below that MRAm … [Read more...] about The Second Circuit Decision in Utica Mutual v. Munich Re: Some Clarity on Three Fronts
Same Virus, Different Outcomes
State and federal courts across the country are grappling with insurance coverage litigation, as insureds who suffered business losses due to government-mandated shutdowns look to their property insurers for relief. These cases present the following key issue for courts: does the alleged presence of the COVID-19 virus on property constitute physical damage to that … [Read more...] about Same Virus, Different Outcomes
Exhaustion Found Ambiguous Causing Reinsurer to Follow the Settlement
In a recent facultative reinsurance dispute over the payment of an asbestos settlement, a New York federal court found the term “exhaustion” ambiguous and granted summary judgment to the cedent requiring the reinsurer to pay its share of an asbestos settlement. In Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co. v. OneBeacon Insurance Co., No. 14 Civ. 4718 (PGG) (S.D.N.Y. Oct. 19, 2020), the … [Read more...] about Exhaustion Found Ambiguous Causing Reinsurer to Follow the Settlement
UK High Court Rules on Business Interruption Insurance Test Case
On September 15, 2020, the UK’s High Court issued its highly-anticipated ruling on the “test case” for COVID-19 business interruption insurance coverage. The case was brought by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) on behalf of several policyholders – many small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) – to determine how the Court would rule on several different policy wordings … [Read more...] about UK High Court Rules on Business Interruption Insurance Test Case
Avoiding the Next Lanzo: Some Thoughts
Some thoughts Most readers are familiar, at least to some extent, with the jury’s verdict earlier this year in Lanzo v. Johnson & Johnson. In that case, a New Jersey state court jury awarded $117 million in compensatory and punitive damages against J&J and Imerys after concluding that asbestos-contaminated talc, supplied by Imerys and used to make Johnson’s Baby … [Read more...] about Avoiding the Next Lanzo: Some Thoughts
Lanzo v. Johnson & Johnson, et al. Is this the Beginning or the End?
Recently, while on a family vacation, I drove past the Yellowstone Imerys talc-mining operations in Montana near Yellowstone National Park. The operation is set against a beautiful backdrop in one of the most naturally stunning areas of the country. The tranquil setting stands in stark contrast to the company’s current turmoil as a defendant in one of the highest profile mass … [Read more...] about Lanzo v. Johnson & Johnson, et al. Is this the Beginning or the End?
Florida Bad Faith Claims: Best Practices In Claims Handling
Joanne McGovern (Claims Regional Vice-President for ProSight Specialty Insurance), joined Laura Besvinick and Julie Nevins (both of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan) to discuss the dynamics of claims handling in Florida, the hallmarks of good faith claims-handling, and avoiding bad faith claims. Bad faith claims have become something of a “cottage industry” in Florida. Certain … [Read more...] about Florida Bad Faith Claims: Best Practices In Claims Handling
Sixth Circuit Follow-Up: Court Interventions in Arbitration Proceedings
In the Fall 2016 edition of AIRROC Matters, we discussed a series of contentious arbitration disputes between Meadowbrook and National Union that led to a noteworthy Sixth Circuit decision concerning the involvement of courts in arbitration proceedings and the impact of ex parte communications. In August 2016, in Star v. National Union, 2016 WL 4394563, at *1 (6th Cir. 2016), … [Read more...] about Sixth Circuit Follow-Up: Court Interventions in Arbitration Proceedings
Lifting the Veil on Arbitration Proceedings: Who’s Your Counsel: Disqualification of Counsel by Courts
In the Spring 2016 issue of AIRROC Matters, we featured Part 1 of a multipart arbitration series by Michael Goldstein and Dan Endick titled, “When Courts Peek Under the Arbitral Veil: the Role of the Courts in Managing Your Reinsurance Arbitration”. The following article is Part 2, “Who’s Your Counsel.” The final article in the series – Part 3 – will appear in a subsequent … [Read more...] about Lifting the Veil on Arbitration Proceedings: Who’s Your Counsel: Disqualification of Counsel by Courts
When Courts Peek Under the Arbitral Veil: The Role of the Courts in Managing Your Reinsurance Arbitration
Arbitration in general is intended as an alternative to litigation in the courts. For good reasons, courts rarely intervene in pending arbitrations and instead require the parties, under most circumstances, to wait for a final award before seeking redress for perceived grievances in the arbitration process. Indeed, the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. § 1, et seq. (“FAA”), … [Read more...] about When Courts Peek Under the Arbitral Veil: The Role of the Courts in Managing Your Reinsurance Arbitration
Assaulting the Bellefonte Citadel: Reinsurers Win…Not So Fast
In the 1990 landmark decision of Bellefonte Reinsurance Co. v. Aetna Cas. & Sur. Co., 903 F.2d 910 (2d Cir. 1990), the Second Circuit Court of Appeals held that the reinsurer’s liability was capped at the dollar amount stated in the “Reinsurance Accepted” provision of the applicable facultative certificate. In doing so, the court relied on the portion of the … [Read more...] about Assaulting the Bellefonte Citadel: Reinsurers Win…Not So Fast
Hydraulic Fracturing: A Retrospective of Key Legal Disputes in 2014 and Predictions for the Future
In 2014, hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) remained a hot national topic. Often making headlines, fracking also made its mark in litigation where key battles wound their way through the courts. Reviewing just some legal developments confirms the industry faces unique, sometimes prejudicial, challenges despite continued growth. For example, the Eighth Circuit’s decision in … [Read more...] about Hydraulic Fracturing: A Retrospective of Key Legal Disputes in 2014 and Predictions for the Future
