A recent federal court ruling offers a reminder that subrogating carriers need to be careful when disclosing expert opinions. The case, Columbia Grain v. Hinrichs Trading et al. (D. Idaho 2015), involved a fire in a garbanzo bean elevator. The plaintiff’s expert opined that a failed bearing ignited garbanzo bean dust, which smoldered for two...
All too often, claims that would otherwise have strong potential for recovery via subrogation cannot be pursued due to issues that arise shortly following a loss. Too many times, hope for recovery is lost because of evidentiary issues or expired limitation periods. As we near year’s end and begin to reflect on the year, here...
There are two new sections in the Texas Property Code which will provide protection for developers and their design professionals from actions brought by condominium associations for construction defect or design claims. The impetus for this change grew out of concerns by developers and design professionals that as constituted, the Texas Residential Construction Act (“RCLA”)...
Earlier this year, Houstonians awoke to find most of their city underwater. This month, South Carolina experienced torrential rains that were so severe that—in some areas—the total rainfall exceeded the expected rain totals for a 1 in 1,000 year storm. The World Resources Institute, in collaboration with four Dutch research organizations, estimated that total U.S....
ICYMI: Social Media has Revolutionized the Gathering, Sharing and Publication of Information both Newsworthy and Non-Newsworthy. The use of social media posts authored by members of the public and casual observers to describe news-as-it-happens is prominent even among traditional media outlets. Social media posts, as we know (I do not want to belabor this), have...
In National Fire Insurance Company of Hartford a/s/o RX Plus Pharmacy Corp. v. Fair Only Real Estate Corp., Index No., 157143, Judge Nancy M. Bannon of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, denied defendant’s motion pursuant to CPLR 3126 to dismiss the plaintiff’s claim for damages for injury to...
Too often in cases involving stolen property, subrogating carriers do not look any further than the actual thieves for potential subrogation targets. For a variety of reasons, even if they are identified and apprehended, the thieves may not be viable subrogation targets. However, where the sale of the stolen property can be traced, you may...
On April 27, 2015 protests in Baltimore, Maryland regarding the death of Freddie Gray escalated into violent riots. These riots resulted in extensive and significant property damage throughout the city. Often, such damages are covered by insurance companies that insure the affected properties. In the aftermath of such events, questions arise as to whether any...
Writing Contentions: Every student learns how to “IRAC” in law school, and every lawyer hears repeated lectures from professors, judges, and veteran attorneys on the importance of effective brief writing. All that you have heard and learned should still be utilized in your contention writing for Intercompany Arbitration Forums. Your efforts should not be lowered...
Your standard case involves a loss caused by an insured party. Whether or not that party is actively participating, the carrier is bound by its duty to defend (as defined by California Insurance Code section 533.5(c)), and at least the policy limits can be up for grabs. Of course, in order for that carrier to...
