A commentary on insurance coverage issues in Hawaii and beyond
Reversing the judgment of the district court, the Fifth Circuit found the insurer owed a defense in a construction defect case. Siplast, Inc. v. Emplrs Mut. Cas. Co., 2022 U.S. App. LEXIS 795 (5th Cir. Jan. 11, 2022).
The Archdiocese of New York sued various parties for a roofing project…
The federal district court found that the D&O carrier had a duty to defend despite the insurer's argument that its policy was excess to the employment practices policy. TriPacific Capital Advisors, LLC v. Federal Ins. Co., 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 222497 (D. Calif. Nov. 15, 2021).
Geoffrey Fearns was President…
The court granted summary judgment to the school district, finding the insured was entitled to a defense against sexual abuse claims alleged against its employee. West Bend Mut. Ins. Co. v. Cmty. Unit Sch. Dist. 300, 2021 Ill. App LEXIS 622 (Ill. App. Ct. Nov. 12, 2021).
The School District rented space to the…
The U.S. District Court found that the contractor was entitled to a defense in the underlying state court action. Pa. Nat'l Mut. Cas. Ins. Co. v. Zonko Builders, 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 168855 (D. Del. Sept. 7, 2021).
Zonko was the general contractor for building the Salt Meadows Townhomes Condominium.
The Third Circuit affirmed the district court's finding that the insured contractor was entitled to a defense despite the underlying allegations of intentional trespass. Westminster Am. Ins. Co. v. Spruce 1530, LLC, 2021 U.S. App. LEXIS 24822 (3d. Cir. Aug. 19, 2021).
In the underlying case, the state court found…
The court overruled the objection to the magistrate issuance of a protective order to prevent a deposition related to a dismissed claim. Pulte Home Corp. v. TIG Ins. Co., 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 159014 (S.D. Calif. Aug 23, 2021).
Plaintiff was the general contractor for two real estate development projects.
The Fifth Circuit reversed the district court's grant of summary judgment which held that the insurer had no duty to defend a data breach suit filed against the insured. Landry's, Inc. v. Ins. Co. of the State of Pennsylvania, 2021 U.S. App. LEXIS 21688 (5th Cir July 21, 2021).
Landry's…
The exclusion for suits arising out of construction of condominiums encompassed the underlying claim for faulty construction of a retaining wall. HT Serv., LLC v. Western Heritage Ins. Co., 2021 U.S. App. LEXIS 16259 (10th Cir. June 1, 2021).
HT Services was a land developer. HT Services designed and constructed…
When sued for construction defects caused by the subcontractor, the general contractor was granted summary judgment on the issue of coverage under the subcontractor's policy. Meritage Homes of Ga. v. Grange Ins. Co., 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 84591 (N.D. Ga. March 23, 2021).
Meritage built a home for the…
The Ninth Circuit found that a California statute excluding coverage for alleged violation of consumer protection laws did not violate due process. Adir Int'l, LLC v. Starr Indem. & Liability Co., 2021 U.S. App,. LEXIS 10756 (9th Cir. April 15, 2021).
Adir operated a retail chain called Curacao. In 2017…
