CLAIMS-MADE COVERAGE
Zurich Am. Ins. Co. v. Syngenta Crop Prot. LLC, 2024 Del. LEXIS 68 (Del. Feb. 26, 2024)
Delaware Supreme Court concludes that a letter from a lawyer informing an insured of possible lawsuits without identifying potential plaintiffs or demanding payment is not a “claim for damages” within the meaning of claims-made CGL and
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Supreme Court Agrees to Consider Standing of Insurers in Chapter 11 Cases
The United States Supreme Court agreed today to review a Fourth Circuit decision that denied an insurer standing to object to an asbestos producer’s Chapter 11 reorganization plan, on the basis that the insurer’s interests were not affected by the plan. The case provides the high court with an opportunity to resolve a recurring issue…
Top Developments October 2023
DEFENSE COST REIMBURSEMENT
Cont’l Cas. Co. v. Winder Labs., LLC, 73 F.4th 934 (11th Cir. 2023)
Eleventh Circuit predicts that, under Georgia law, insurers found to have no duty to defend underlying suits could not recoup defense costs from their insureds pursuant to a reservation of rights (ROR) where the GL policies at issue did …
Montana Trial Court Holds That Youths Have Standing to Bring Constitutional Claims Against State Government For Alleged Climate Change-Related Harms
On August 14, 2023, in a “landmark” ruling, a Montana state court held that youth plaintiffs had standing to assert constitutional claims against the State of Montana, its governor and state agencies for “ignoring” the impact of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on climate change. Held v. State of Montana, Cause No. CDV-020-307 (1st Judicial Dist. Ct.,…
First Circuit Holds that Notice Provisions in Claims Made Policies Must be Strictly Enforced
In President & Fellows of Harvard College v. Zurich Am. Ins. Co.[1], the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit ruled that Harvard was not entitled to coverage under an excess claims-made and reported policy issued by Zurich American Insurance Co. (Zurich) because it failed to comply with the notice provisions…
Top Developments July 2023
DUTY TO DEFEND – EXTRINSIC EVIDENCE
Republic Franklin Ins. Co. v. Ebensburg Ins. Agency, 2023 U.S. App. LEXIS 14528 (3d Cir. June 9, 2023)
Third Circuit questions, but declines to decide, whether Pennsylvania’s “four corners” rule permits an insurer under a claims-made professional liability insurance policy to terminate its defense of the insured based on …
Top Developments March 2023
CONTRIBUTION
Chem. Solvents, Inc. v. Greenwich Ins. Co., 2023 U.S. App. LEXIS 868 (6th Cir. Jan. 13, 2023)
A divided Sixth Circuit panel holds that, under Ohio’s “all sums” allocation scheme, “targeted” insurers may seek indemnity contribution from a policy reinsured by a captive insurer. The court rejected the insured’s argument that allowing contribution from…
New Hampshire Supreme Court Declines to Recognize Cause of Action for Medical Monitoring in Context of PFAS Claims
On March 21, 2023, the New Hampshire Supreme Court, answering a certified question from the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire, concluded that New Hampshire does not recognize a cause of action for recovery of medical monitoring costs by plaintiffs who allege they were exposed to a toxic substance. See Brown v. Saint-Gobain…
Fourth Circuit Holds That Cooperation Clause Does Not Apply to Insured’s Conduct in Negotiating Bankruptcy Plan
In Hanson Permanente Cement, Inc. v. Kaiser Gypsum Co. (In re Kaiser Gypsum Co.), ____ F. 4th ____, 2023 U.S. App. LEXIS 3482 (4th Cir. Feb. 14, 2023), the Fourth Circuit ruled that an insured’s obligations under a typical cooperation clause in a general liability policy only required the insured to assist and cooperate with…