January 2019

    Interpreting Florida law, the federal district court found that the insurer must defend the subcontractor for claims based upon faulty workmanship. S. Owners Ins. Co. v. Gallo Bldg. Servs., 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 212961 (M.D. Fla. Dec. 18, 2018).

    Gallo Building Services entered a subcontract with KB Homes, developer, related

   Answering a certified question, the Nevada Supreme Court determined that an insurer breaching its duty to defend may be liable for consequential damages caused to the insured. Century Sur. Co. c. Andrew, 2018 Nev. LEXIS 112 (Nev. Dec. 13, 2018). 

   Michael Vasquez struck a minor, causing significant brain injury. Vasquez used the

    The court determined that a young girl's suicide prompted by the insured's text messages constituted an occurrence under the homeowner's policy. State Farm Fire and Cas. Co. v. Motta, 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 208472 (E.D. Pa. Dec. 11, 2018).

    High school student Zach Trimbur harassed and cyberbullied classmate Julia Morath.

    The insured's failure to verify that subcontractors had CGL policies and to provide a contract stating that the subcontractors would indemnify the insured as required by the policy's endorsement meant there was no coverage for the insured. Cincinnati Spec. Underwriters Ins. Co. v. Milionis Constr., Inc., 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 199658 (E.D.

    Reversing the district court, the Fifth Circuit found one occurrence after the insured's truck struck multiple vehicles. Evanston Ins. Co. v. Mid-Contenint Cas. Co., 2018 U.S. App. LEXIS 32722 (5th Cir. Nov. 19, 2018).

    An employee of Global Waste Services, LLC, Marlon Diggs, lost control of his Mack truck. At