A commentary on insurance coverage issues in Hawaii and beyond
The insured's inability to determine when water damage occurred meant it could not pursue claims of property damage against the insurers. Creek v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co., 2022 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 116939 (W.D. Wash. July 1, 2022).
Gold Creek Condominium complex experienced water damage. The complex was completed…
The federal district court for the district of Hawaii determined the insured's COVID-19 claims were novel and undecided by Hawaii state courts and remanded the case. Hawaii Theatre Center v. Am. Ins. Co., 2022 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 152836 (D. Haw. Aug. 25, 2022).
The Theatre sought coverage under its commercial…
The decision is here.
The court denied the insurer's motion for partial summary judgment seeking to dismiss the insured's claim for bad faith in handling his claim. Davis v. Allstate Indem. Co., 2022 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 93475 (C.D. Cal. April 15, 2022).
On February 5, 2012, Terry Davis had an auto policy with Allstate…
The insurer's motion to cap a potential business interruption claim after the insured failed to provide documentation was denied. Lake Charles Instruments Inc. v. Scottsdale Ins. Co., 2022 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 116802 (W.D. La. July 2, 2022).
Plaintiff operated a business that was damaged during Hurricane Laura on August 27…
The federal district court found there were multiple occurrences of property damage under a disease contamination provision in the policy. Dental Express, LLC v. Massachusetts Bay Ins. Co., 2022 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 119701 (N.D. Ill. July 7, 2022).
Dental Express operated seventy-three dental offices across nine states and the District…
The appellate court affirmed the trial court's order staying St. Paul's declaratory judgment action involving the defense of distributors of opioid to users. St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co. v. AmerisourceBergen Corp., 2022 Ca. App. LEXIS 535 (Cal. Ct. App. June 20, 2022).
The trial court issued a stay…
To await a decision from the Washington Supreme Court, the federal district court stayed the COVID-19 coverage action pending before it. Reckless Enter. v. First Mercury Ins. Co., 2022 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 120832 (W.D. Wash. July 8, 2022).
Plaintiff owned and operated a restaurant that lost income during the height…
The Hawaii legal community lost a legendary member of the judiciary with the passing of retired Chief Justice Ronald T.Y. Moon on July 4, 2022. While serving as Chief Justice, the Supreme Court decided landmark cases including same sex marriage to protecting native Hawaiian rights and the environment. Justice Moon served as Chief Justice…
The court found there was no coverage for the insured's transmission to a foreign account held by someone who gained unauthorized access to the account. Construction Fin. Admin. Services, LLC v. Fed Ins. Co., 2022 U.S. Distl LEXIS 103042 (E.D. Pa. June 9, 2022).
The insured, Construction Financial Administration Services…
