The court granted the insurer's motion for summary judgment, deciding that there was no breach of the policy for failure to pay for flood damage when the insured failed to obtain a policy under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). 570 Smith St. Realty Corp. v. Seneca Ins. Co. Inc., 2019 N.Y.
Tred R. Eyerly
Tred once again was selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2025 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for his work in Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law and Litigation-Insurance. He was also named Best Lawyers® 2022 Litigation Insurance “Lawyer of the Year” in Honolulu. A designation given to a single attorney in each practice group by metropolitan area.
Subcontractor Entitled to Defense for Defective Work Causing Property Damage Beyond Its Scope of Work
The Illinois Court of Appeals found the subcontractor was owed a defense for alleged property damage caused by its faulty workmanship, but outside its scope of work. Acuity Ins. Co. v. 950 W. Huron Condo. Ass'n, 2019 Ill. App. LEXIS 208 (Ill. Ct. App. March 29, 2019).
The condominium association…
Trial Court’s Award of Contractual Fees to Public Adjuster Overturned
A judgment awarding the public adjuster his compensation for work performed under contract was remanded for further proceedings by the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals. Joslin v Ota Camp-Makibaka Ass'n, 2019 Haw. App. LEXIS 155 (Haw. Ct. App. April 5, 2019).
A fire destroyed the homeowners' residence on September 19…
Cross-Claim Against Co-Insureds Dismissed Without Prejudice
In a case related to Great Divide Ins. Co. v. Hawaiian Kamali`i, 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 43106 (D. Haw. March 15, 2019) [post here], the Federal District Court for the District of Hawaii confronted issues created by a cross-claim for one of the purported insureds. United States Fire Ins. Co. v. …
Property Damage to Insured’s Own Work is Not Covered
The Michigan Court of Appeals found there was no coverage for a lawsuit filed against the insureds for faulty workmanship. Skanska United States Bldg. v M.A.P. Mech. Contrs., 2019 Mich App. LEXIS 529 (Mich. Ct. App. March 19, 2019).
Contractor Skanska United States Building was the construction manager on a…
Exclusion j (6) Not Applicable to Bar Coverage for Alleged Faulty Workmanship
The appellate court vacated the trial court's grant of summary judgment to the insurer because of the subcontractor's alleged faulty workmanship. All America Ins. Co. v. Lampasona Concrete Corp., 2019 Mass. App. LEXIS 34 (March 19,2019).
After construction of the hospital, the Northeast Hospital Corporation (NHC) sued he general contractor…
Watercraft, Events Exclusions Bar Coverage
The Federal District Court for the District of Hawaii found bodily injury suffered in a boating accident was barred under the policy's Watercraft and Events Exclusions. Great Divide Ins. Co. v. Hawaiian Kamali`i, 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 43106 (D. Haw. March 15, 2019).
The Hawaiian Canoe Club (HCC) hosted and…
Conversion of Premiums Claim After Denial of Coverage Fails as Matter of Law
The insured sued for conversion of his premiums after the insurer denied its claim for collapse of a retaining wall. Lead GHR Enterprises, Inc. v. Am States Ins. Co., 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 29412 (D. S. D. Feb. 25, 2019).
Suit was filed after the insured's claim was denied. Cross…
Coverage Action Properly Removed to Hawaii Federal District Court
The court denied plaintiff's motion for remand after his coverage case was removed to federal district court. Greenson, 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 29476 (D. Haw. Feb. 25, 2019).
Greenspon filed a coverage action in Hawaii state court against AIG, Prommis Solutions Holding Corp. (PSHC), and the law firm, McCorriston Miller…
Insurer’s In-House Expert’s Communications Are Privileged
The Texas Supreme Court ruled that the insurer's in-house expert's draft reports and communications were privileged and need not be produced. In Re City of Dickinson, Relator, 2019 Texas LEXIS 165 (Tex. Feb. 15, 2019).
The City of Dickinson had a commercial windstorm policy with the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association.