The Court held that the insurer defending the additional insured general contractor had no right to equitable subrogation or equitable contribution from a separate carrier who also insured the general contractor as an additional insured. Old Republic Gen. Ins. Co. v. Amerisure Ins. Co., 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 170293 (N.D. Ill. Sept.
Occurrence
Certified Question Asks Hawaii Supreme Court to Determine Coverage for Allegations of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The federal district court certified questions to the Hawaii Supreme Court regarding coverage for underlying allegations of greenhouse gas emissions. Aloha Petroleum, Ltd. v. Nat'l Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 156211 (D. Haw. Sept. 5, 2023).
Aloha was sued in two lawsuits, one filed by…
Insured’s Intentional Act Can Lead to an Occurrence Causing Property Damage
The Wisconsin Court of Appeals determined an occurrence could follow the insured's intentional act when the harm caused was not intentional. Riverbank Farms v. Saukville Feed Supplies, 2023 Wisc. App. LEXIS 813 (Wis. Ct. App. July 26, 2023).
Riverback was a dairy farm. It purchased feed mix from Saukville. Riverback's…
Wisconsin Supreme Court Abandons “Integrated Systems Analysis” for Determining Property Damage
The Wisconsin Supreme Court departed from its previous mechanism for determining property damage under the "integrated systems analysis" and found the insurers were not entitled to summary judgment as determined by the trial court. 5 Walworth, LLC v. Engerman Contracting, Inc., 2023 Wis. LEXIS 152 (Wis. June 20, 2023).
5…
Court Finds Duty To Defend Environmental Claim, But Defense Limited to $100,000
While agreeing with the insured there was a duty to defend, the court determined the defense of an environmental claims was limited to $100,000. Casa Nido Partnership v. JAE Kwon, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 97701 (N.D. Calif. June 5, 2023).
In 1976, Casa Nido purchased the property and remains the…
Insurer Has No Obligation to Cover Arbitration Award in Construction Defect Case
The court determined there was no coverage for an adverse arbitration decision suffered by the insured in a construction defect case. Am. Fire and Cas. Co. v. Unforgettable Coatings, Inc., 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 64846 (D. Nev. April 13, 2023).
Unforgettable contracted with Muirfield Village Homeowner's Association for painting and…
Insurer Must Defend General Contractor
Interpreting Massachusetts law, the federal district court determined consequential damage resulting from the insured's faulty work triggered a duty to defend. Capitol Spec. Ins. Corp. v. Dello Russo Enter. LLC, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 11627 (D. Mass. Jan. 24, 2023).
Peta-Gay and Michael Print sued the insured, Dello Russo, who…
Reservation of Rights Letter Merely Citing Policy Provisions Inadequate
In an unpublished opinion, the Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court's finding that the insurers' reservation of rights letters did not provide a basis for denial of coverage. Stoneiedge At Lake Keowee Owners Ass'n Inc. v. Cincinnati Ins. Co., 2022 US. App. LEXIS 34292 (4th Dist. Dec. 13, 2022).
…
Ninth Circuit Upholds Hawaii District Court Decision Finding Coverage for Employee Theft
The Ninth Circuit agreed with the Federal District Court, District of Hawaii, in finding multiple limits for occurrences over the years of coverage were applicable. The Arc In Hawaii v. DB Ins. Co., Ltd., 2022 U.S. App. LEXIS 31231 (9th Cir. Nov. 10, 2022).
The Arc served persons with disabilities…
No Coverage for Subcontractor’s Faulty Workmanship
Finding faulty workmanship that did not cause property damage beyond the subcontractor's work, the court found there was no coverage under the CGL policy. Middlesex Ins. Co. v. Dixie Mech., Inc., 2022 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 175190 (N. D. Ga. Sept. 27, 2022).
The case involved a construction project on Elba…