A commentary on insurance coverage issues in Hawaii and beyond
The insurer's Motion in Limine seeking to preclude the insured from referencing or seeking certain categories of damages was largely denied. Las Brisas Condo. Homes Ass'n., Inc. v. Empire Indem. Ins. Co., 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 178360 (M.D. Fla. Oct. 1, 2024).
Following Hurricane Irma, Las Brisas Condominium Homes Association…
The court granted the insured's motion to dismiss the insurer's action for a declaratory judgment on the issue of indemnity when the underlying action was still ongoing. Utica Mut. Ins. Co. v. Crystal Curtain Wall Sys. Corp., NYLJ LEXIS 3255 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. Dec. 1, 2023).
Crystal was a subcontractor…
The court rejected the attorneys' claim that an award of attorney's fees awarded for pursuing a frivolous claim under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was not a "sanction" and was covered under the policy Wesco Ins. Co. v. Roderick Linton Belfance, LLP, 2022 U.S. App. LEXIS 18263 (6th Cir. July…
The Fourth Circuit upheld the district court's decision that a collapse was covered, but reversed the denial of treble damages to the insured. DENC, LLC v. Phila. Indem. Ins. Co., 2022 U.S. App. LEXIS 10443 (4th Cir. April 18, 2022). The district court decision was summarized here.
DENC owned…
The district court granted the motion to remand due to lack of subject matter jurisdiction because the insurer did not sufficiently establish that the amount in controversy was above $75,000. Caceres v. Scottsdale Inc. Co., 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 209688 (S.D. Fla. Dec. 5, 2019).
Hurricane Irma damaged plaintiffs' home.
After ignoring a prior order to pay fees, the insurer was ordered again to pay the total fees incurred without challenge to defense counsel's hourly rates. Chelsea Piers, L.P. v. Colony Ins. Co., 2019 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 6333 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. Nov. 25, 2019).
Chelsea Piers was an additional insured…
The insured's claim for fees under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) for seeking coverage under a flood policy was rejected. Hampson v. Wright Nat'l Flood Ins. Co., No. 4:19-cv-10083-KMM (S.D. Fla. Aug. 11, 2019)(Order on Motion to Dismiss). The order is here.
The insurer did not compensate…
The court determined that the non-participating insurer must reimburse the insurer who defended. Steadfast Ins. Co. v. Greenwich Ins. Co., 2019 Wisc. LEXIS 9 (Wis. Jan. 25, 2019).
Historic rains hit Milwaukee in June 2008, overwhelming the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District's (MMSD) sewage system. Raw sewage backed up into 8,000…
The trial court's use of a multiplier in awarding fees to the insured was affirmed by the Florida Court of Appeal. Citizens Prop. Ins. Corp. v. Laguerre, 2018 Fla. App. LEXIS 11794 (Fla. Ct. App. Aug. 22, 2018).
Following Hurricane Wilma, the insured made a claim for wind damage to…
The Ninth Circuit upheld the District Court’s decision that the insured Association of Apartment Owners was entitled to coverage for the attorneys’ fees incurred [prior post here].Ass’n of Apartment Owners of the Moorings, Inc. v. Dongbu Ins. Co., Ltd., 2018 U.S. App. LEXIS 20251 (9th Cir. July 20, 2018).…
