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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

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 the Liquidation of Midland Insurance

Policyholders New York Dock Railway (NYDR) and Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal (BEDT), joined by claimants Buividas and Romacho, moved to confirm a referee's report that found coverage for their claims by the Stock Workers' Compensation Security Fund. The Superintendent of Insurance, as liquidator of Midland Insurance Company, cross-moved to disaffirm the report, arguing against Security Fund coverage based on his interpretation of relevant statutes. The court reviewed the referee's decision, finding it erroneous due to a misinterpretation of legislative history and intent regarding security fund coverage limitations, particularly concerning Chapter 801 amendments. Upholding the Superintendent's rational interpretation, the court denied the motion to confirm and granted the cross-motion to disaffirm, affirming the denial of security fund coverage.

Workers' Compensation Security FundInsurance Coverage DisputeMidland Insurance Company LiquidationFederal Employers' Liability ActJones ActLongshoremen's and Harbor Workers' Compensation ActStatutory InterpretationLegislative HistoryThird-Party IndemnificationEmployer's Liability
References
6
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

Hayden v. S & W Meat & Poultry

Claimant, a partner in S & W Meat & Poultry, sustained a serious injury. A workers' compensation claim was filed, but the carrier contested coverage, arguing that claimant, as a partner, had not formally elected coverage under Workers' Compensation Law § 54 (8). The Workers' Compensation Board applied estoppel, finding the carrier failed to advise the employer of the election requirement. On appeal, the court reversed this decision, holding that the employer's insurance broker, the Fear agency, was notified of the lack of coverage, and this knowledge is imputed to the employer. The court found insufficient evidence for estoppel and remitted the matter to the Board for further proceedings.

Workers' CompensationEstoppelInsurance CoveragePartnershipAgent LiabilityImputed KnowledgePremium RefundAppellate ReviewRemittalWorkers' Compensation Law § 54 (8)
References
5
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
Apr 11, 2007

Macro Enterprises, Ltd. v. QBE Insurance

The Supreme Court, New York County, affirmed an order denying plaintiff's motion for summary judgment and granting defendant's cross motion for summary judgment. The court declared that the plaintiff is not entitled to defense and indemnity coverage in an underlying third-party action. The decision was based on the plaintiff's failure to notify the defendant insurer for over two years about an employee's injury at a construction site, which constituted noncompliance with a condition precedent to coverage and vitiated the insurance contract. The plaintiff's claimed belief of nonliability, premised on the Workers' Compensation Law, was deemed unreasonable under the circumstances.

Summary JudgmentInsurance CoverageLate NoticeCondition PrecedentWorkers' Compensation LawConstruction AccidentIndemnity CoverageDefense CoverageAppellate AffirmationContract Vitiation
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Oct 09, 2001

Generali-U.S. Branch v. Rothschild

This case concerns an insurance dispute between Generali, an insurer, and the Rothschild defendants, insureds, regarding commercial general liability coverage. The Rothschilds were notified in 1992 by tenants, the Eromosele family, and a social worker about lead poisoning in their children from peeling paint. In 1997, the Eromoseles sued the Rothschilds for negligence. Generali, notified in 1998, subsequently filed a declaratory judgment action to avoid defending or indemnifying the Rothschilds. The Supreme Court initially granted Generali's motion for summary judgment. On appeal, the court found Generali's two-month delay in disclaiming coverage reasonable as a matter of law. However, the court identified a factual issue regarding whether the Rothschilds were obligated to notify Generali in 1992, given Generali was not then their insurer and the Rothschilds' potential good faith belief of nonliability. Consequently, the appellate court modified the order, denying Generali's motion for summary judgment.

Insurance CoverageDisclaimer of LiabilitySummary JudgmentNegligence ActionLead Paint PoisoningGood Faith BeliefQuestion of FactAppellate ReviewProperty InsuranceTenant Claim
References
7
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. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Government Employees Insurance v. Kolodny

Government Employees Insurance Company (GEICO) initiated a declaratory judgment action to determine if it was obligated to indemnify Chaim S. Kolodny or provide coverage for claims stemming from a fatal 1990 automobile accident. GEICO argued a policy exclusion applied because the vehicle was for Kolodny's regular use. The Supreme Court initially granted GEICO's motion for summary judgment. However, the appellate court reversed this decision, ruling that GEICO's disclaimer, issued over a year after receiving notice of the accident, was untimely and lacked an adequate explanation for the delay. Consequently, GEICO was found to be obligated to provide coverage. The appeal from the intermediate order was dismissed.

Insurance CoverageAutomobile AccidentDeclaratory JudgmentTimely DisclaimerPolicy ExclusionSummary JudgmentAppellate ReviewEstate AdministrationIndemnificationRegular Use Clause
References
6
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