SDV Insights

Whose Employee is it Anyway?: Federal Court Finds No Coverage for Injured Subcontractor's Claim Based on Modified Employer's Liability Exclusion

In Nagog Real Estate Consulting Corp. v. Nautilus Insurance Co.,1 the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts held that an insurer had no duty to defend its insureds against claims brought by an injured subcontractor, based on an overbroad employer's liability exclusion in the policy.

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The Hazards of Carrier-Specific Manuscript Language: Ohio Casualty's Off-Premises Property Damage and Contractors' E&O Endorsements

Risk transfer in the construction industry depends heavily on industry-standard insurance language. Insurance provisions in subcontracts typically reference ISO standard insurance terminology or endorsements in order to guarantee (or, at least, attempt to secure) coverage for upstream parties.

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Sixth Circuit Affirms Liability Insurer's Broad Duty to Defend and Binds Insurer to Judgment Against Landlord

In a victory for policyholders, the Sixth Circuit affirmed that a landlord's insurer owed a duty to defend the landlord in a bodily injury claim arising out of a fire that killed three and injured one. The Court held that the insurer breached its duty to defend and was bound to the insured's $3 million consented judgment.

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Product Defect Allegations Trigger Duty To Defend in Pennsylvania

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals recently concluded, in Nautilus Insurance Co. v. 200 Christian Street Partners, LLC., that a duty to defend is triggered when product-related allegations are pled in connection with a claim for defective construction.

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A Win for Policyholders: California Court of Appeals Applies Vertical Exhaustion for Continuous Injury Claims

Fresh off the heels of the California Supreme Court's landmark decision in Montrose Chemical Corp. v. Super. Ct. of L.A. Cty., policyholders scored another victory as another California court rejected horizontal exhaustion in the context of continuous injury cases.

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How Will D&O Insurance Evolve with the Coronavirus?

When Directors and Officers (D&O) insurance was first introduced by the London underwriting market in the 1930s, it was intended to cover a narrow range of emerging liabilities. Following the Great Depression and the uptick in securities regulation, there was a perceived need for insurance to protect corporate officers from the risks of doing business.

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Beware of the Dangers of Designating a Project "Premises" When Using the ISO CG 21 44 or its Equivalents

Project-specific policies sold to the construction industry routinely include ISO form CG 21 44 07 98, entitled "Limitation of Coverage to Designated Premises or Project", to identify the covered construction project. Care must be taken in the use of this form, however, to avoid granting more coverage than the insured and insurer intend.

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Construction Calamity: Risk Transfer Tips for Contractors After a Catastrophic Loss

From structural collapses to fires, the construction industry has experienced a number of high-profile catastrophes over the past decade. These disasters test the mettle of even the most experienced risk professionals and the strongest insurance programs. Issues can arise in all facets of the company's contracts and insurance policies, and dealing with the aftermath is an extensive and demanding process that can involve many players.

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Bostock v. Clayton County - Supreme Court Casts New Theories of Employment Practices Liability Under Title VII Nationwide

The financial integrity of commercial entities depends heavily on their ability to anticipate risks and financial liabilities while working in conjunction with their partners and insurers to allocate these costs before they arise. This is a fluid and dynamic process as some companies' operations may span across numerous jurisdictions with varying approaches to the legal issues their business regularly faces.

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Hotel's Excess Insurer Escapes Liability as "Following-Form" Coverage Excludes Claim

Many policyholders assume that "following form" excess liability coverage will be available, if needed, above the primary policy's limits. This assumption should never replace the true measure of determining coverage--reading the policy.

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