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Access over workers' compensation decisions, including En Banc, Significant Panel Decisions, and writ-denied cases.

Case No. 03 Civ. 0332(AKH)
Regular Panel Decision
Oct 29, 2004

In Re September 11th Liability Insurance Coverage Cases

This opinion and order addresses two Rule 12(c) motions regarding insurance coverage for the World Trade Center properties following the September 11, 2001, attacks. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey sought a declaration that it is an "Additional Insured" under Zurich American Insurance Company's policies, while World Trade Center Properties LLC (WTCP) sought a declaration that Zurich is obligated to cover defense costs. The court, presided over by District Judge Hellerstein, denied both motions. It found ambiguity in the binder regarding the Port Authority's "Additional Insured" status, stating that the issue was premature without further discovery. Furthermore, the court held that New York Insurance Regulation 107 does not require rewriting Zurich's binder and policies to include defense costs, considering the unique circumstances, the sophistication of the insured, and the fact that Zurich explicitly excluded defense costs, which Silverstein (WTCP's affiliate) accepted after failing to secure conventional coverage. The court also affirmed supplemental jurisdiction over the insurance claims due to their close relation to the underlying September 11th liability cases.

Insurance CoverageSeptember 11 AttacksWorld Trade CenterRule 12(c) MotionDeclaratory ReliefAdditional Insured StatusDefense CostsInsurance BinderNew York Insurance LawRegulation 107
References
48
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Catania v. Hartford Accident & Indemnity Co.

This case involves a submitted controversy under sections 546 to 548 of the Civil Practice Act, concerning whether a liability policy issued to John Schiro extends coverage to the plaintiff for injuries sustained by Schiro's wife. Schiro's wife alleged negligence against her spouse in the operation of his vehicle during his employment with the plaintiff. The court analyzed Insurance Law section 167 (subd. 3), which states that policies do not cover liability for spousal injuries unless expressly provided. Citing Morgan v. Greater New York Taxpayers Mut. Ins. Assn., the court treated the policy as if issued to the plaintiff alone, determining that Schiro's wife is not the plaintiff's spouse, thus making section 167 (subd. 3) inapplicable. The decision, supported by Manhattan Cas. Co. v. Cholakis, concluded that the insurer is liable. Therefore, judgment was granted in favor of the plaintiff, requiring the defendant to defend the pending negligence action and pay any judgment up to the policy limits.

Liability PolicyInsurance CoverageSpousal LiabilityCivil Practice ActInsurance LawNegligenceDeclaratory JudgmentAutomobile AccidentEmployer LiabilityInterspousal Immunity
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

McLaughlin v. Midrox Insurance

This case involves an appeal concerning an insurance coverage dispute. Plaintiffs sought to compel Midrox Insurance Company to indemnify the Blodgett Brothers Partnerships for a $1 million judgment in an underlying personal injury action. The accident involved a motorcycle operated by plaintiff Charles R. McLaughlin and a pickup truck driven by Ronald Blodgett. Midrox had disclaimed coverage, arguing the accident occurred off insured premises and involved a registered vehicle. The court affirmed the lower court's decision, ruling that the farmowner's policy did provide coverage. The court determined that public roadways used for transporting materials between farm parcels could be considered 'insured premises' and that the pickup truck's agricultural registration did not negate coverage given its exclusive use for farming purposes.

Personal InjuryFarmowner's InsuranceInsurance CoverageAgricultural TruckPolicy InterpretationOff-Premises AccidentPublic RoadwaysSummary JudgmentIndemnificationVehicle and Traffic Law
References
5
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

in Re Deepwater Horizon

Justice Johnson dissents from the Court’s decision on construing an insurance contract between BP and Transocean. Johnson argues that BP’s coverage under the policy should not be limited to liabilities Transocean assumed in the drilling contract. The dissent emphasizes that the policy's language for additional insureds and its definitions of "Insured" and "Insured Contract" should grant BP full coverage for liabilities imposed by general law, not solely those contractually assumed by Transocean. Johnson further notes that the insurer had previously used restrictive language in other contexts but chose not to in this policy concerning BP's status, and that the policy's "Conflicting Conditions Clause" mandates the broadest interpretation in favor of the Insured.

Insurance contract interpretationadditional insuredcontractual liabilitypolicy languagescope of coveragedissenting opiniontort liabilitywaivers of subrogationgeneral conditionsdefinitions
References
4
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

U. P. Iron Works v. Investors Insurance

Plaintiff insured brought a declaratory judgment action against their insurer, who issued both workers' compensation and general liability policies. The dispute arose after a partner was injured, leading to a third-party products liability action against the partnership. The insurer disclaimed coverage, citing lack of coverage for a direct suit by a partner and late notice of the accident. The court found that coverage existed for the third-party claim, extending it to a partner similar to an employee. Furthermore, the court determined that the notice provided by the insured, though three years after the accident, was not unreasonably late given the complexities involved. Consequently, the court declared the policy to be in full force and effect for the accident.

Declaratory JudgmentInsurance CoverageWorkers' Compensation PolicyGeneral Liability PolicyThird-Party ClaimPartner InjuryEmployee ExclusionLate Notice DisclaimerDuty to DefendSummary Judgment Motion
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Cerbasi v. County Metal & Glass, Inc.

A claimant injured their left arm while working at a New York construction site for a New Jersey employer insured by New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Company (NJMIC). A dispute arose regarding coverage, with the Workers’ Compensation Law Judge and Board determining the policy covered the accident because New York was not an explicitly excluded state and NJMIC’s attempt to amend the policy was ineffective. NJMIC appealed, arguing the Board erred in its coverage finding and that Workers’ Compensation Law § 54 (5) notice requirements did not apply to partial cancellations. The Appellate Division affirmed, finding the Board's determination on coverage implicit and that NJMIC failed to demonstrate an effective exclusion or proper cancellation under Workers' Compensation Law § 54 (5). The court also noted NJMIC's argument regarding partial cancellation was unpreserved.

Workers' CompensationInsurance CoveragePolicy ExclusionNew York LawNew Jersey BusinessStatutory ComplianceCancellation NoticeAppellate ReviewJurisdictionLeft Arm Injury
References
9
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's v. KKM INC.

This appeal concerns an insurance claim for a building that collapsed due to corrosion. Appellee KKM, Inc. d/b/a Strand Surplus, the building owner, sought coverage from appellants, Certain Underwriters of Lloyd’s London, after its claim was denied. The trial court deemed the policy terms 'corrosion' and 'decay' ambiguous, submitting the coverage issue to a jury, which found for KKM, Inc. On appeal, the court upheld the trial court's finding of ambiguity and the interpretation that 'Additional Coverage' for hidden decay could override general exclusions. However, the judgment was reversed and remanded because the trial court erred in refusing to instruct the jury on the 'fortuity doctrine,' specifically regarding whether the insured knew or should have known of the ongoing corrosion before the policy was purchased.

Insurance claimBuilding collapsePolicy ambiguityContract interpretationCorrosionHidden decayFortuity doctrineKnown lossLoss in progressJury instructions
References
39
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 05, 2002

A.J. McNulty & Co. v. Lloyds of London

Plaintiff construction project subcontractors, holding general liability insurance from Lloyds of London and workers' compensation policies from AIG, initiated a declaratory judgment action against Lloyds. This action sought to compel Lloyds to defend and indemnify them in third-party lawsuits arising from worker injuries and deaths on a construction project, where AIG had already defended the plaintiffs in their capacity as third-party defendants. The Supreme Court granted Lloyds' cross-motion for summary judgment, determining that an employers' liability exclusion in the Lloyds policy validly precluded coverage for employee bodily injury or death related to employment. Furthermore, the court found that Lloyds' disclaimer of coverage was timely, as the insurer's obligation to disclaim arose only when it was served with the declaratory judgment action papers in September 2001, and it disclaimed shortly thereafter. The Appellate Division unanimously affirmed this decision, rejecting the plaintiffs' arguments.

Insurance LawEmployers' Liability ExclusionDeclaratory JudgmentSummary JudgmentDisclaimer of CoverageTimeliness of DisclaimerThird-Party ActionsGeneral Liability PolicyWorkers' Compensation PolicySubcontractors
References
4
Case No. Bronx County Clerk’s Index No. 21460/04
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 06, 2006

Bovis Lend Lease LMB, Inc. v. Great American Insurance

This case is an appeal concerning a dispute among several insurance companies over the priority of coverage for a construction manager and owner in an underlying wrongful death action. The court analyzed the terms of various primary and umbrella liability policies, establishing that an umbrella policy is generally excess to primary coverage unless specified otherwise within the policy. The Supreme Court's prior ruling on the order of coverage was modified. For Bovis, DASNY, and NYC, the new order of coverage after the exhaustion of QBE's policy is Liberty, then Illinois, followed by United and Westchester sharing ratably. For Stonewall, after QBE's exhaustion, the coverage order is Liberty, then Westchester, with no contribution from United. The court also affirmed that policy provisions, not underlying trade contracts, dictate coverage priority and declined to issue an advisory opinion on Great American's coverage due to prematurity.

Insurance Coverage DisputePriority of CoverageUmbrella Liability PolicyPrimary Insurance PolicyAdditional InsuredSubcontractor InsuranceGeneral Contractor InsuranceConstruction ProjectWrongful Death ActionDeclaratory Judgment
References
24
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Reliance Insurance v. Garsart Building Corp.

This case concerns an appeal from a judgment involving insurance coverage disputes. The Supreme Court of Rockland County declared that Reliance Insurance Company of New York properly disclaimed coverage under its general liability policy issued to Garsart Building Corp. and was not required to defend or indemnify Garsart in an underlying personal injury action. The court also ruled that Planet Insurance Company was not obligated to defend or indemnify Garsart under its workers' compensation policy. Appellants J and J Associates, Louis C. Pell, County of Rockland Industrial Development Authority, and Garsart Building Corp. appealed this judgment. The appellate court affirmed the judgment, finding the appellants failed to provide a valid excuse for not complying with notice requirements and that Horace Hall was an independent contractor, not an employee of Garsart.

Insurance CoverageDisclaimer of CoverageNotice RequirementsIndependent ContractorEmployers' LiabilityAppellate AffirmanceDeclaratory JudgmentPersonal Injury LitigationPolicy InterpretationInsurance Disputes
References
7
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