Source: https://www.cozen.com/industries/insurance
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 09:21:09+00:00

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Alycen Moss discusses top transportation issues to track and how these issues impact the transportation industry.
Cozen O’Connor represents major domestic and foreign insurers on a worldwide basis and is a recognized leader in insurance law. With 250 top insurance attorneys, Cozen O’Connor fields arguably the most sophisticated insurance law department of any firm in the United States.
Underwriters and claims handlers need counsel with deep industry knowledge and allegiance. Complex regulations, consolidation, and increasing litigation are just a few of the challenges insurers face. Cozen O’Connor is prepared to help insurance clients meet the demands of this fast-paced, high-stakes marketplace.
Underlying Cozen O’Connor’s special relationship with the insurance industry is our dedication to providing a truly full-service practice. Our attorneys operate in a vast range of critical specialties in hundreds of jurisdictions. With offices in 22 cities across the U.S., as well as in London and Toronto, Cozen O’Connor is able to provide counsel on a state-by-state, national and international basis.
Litigation. Cozen O’Connor represents insurers in complex coverage and bad faith disputes regarding virtually all lines of personal and commercial insurance. Our attorneys have served as lead trial counsel or national coordinating counsel in some of the largest coverage cases in recent memory, including Superstorm Sandy, the 9/11 attacks and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The firm is also a world leader in the area of subrogation, successfully recovering in excess of $200 million on behalf of our clients on an annual basis.
Business Transactions. Cozen O’Connor provides practical strategic advice to underwriters on regulatory compliance, corporate governance, major transactions, and the launch of new business organizations. We lead mergers, acquisitions, and entity creation; license and register industry participants; handle regulatory filings and contract negotiations; and structure alternative risk mechanisms, including captives, risk retention groups, and self-insurance plans.
Regulatory. Few industries are as heavily regulated as insurance. We advise on compliance, advertising, statutory reporting, receiverships, director and officer fiduciary duties, and board operations. Our attorneys regularly design corporate policies for insurers on privacy, document retention, codes of ethics, conflicts of interest, anti-fraud, subrogation policies, and claims handling. And we offer specific counsel on insurance topics, including investment restrictions, holding company matters, premium tax, surplus notes, premium financing, statutory deposits, and McCarran-Ferguson antitrust rules.
The Cozen O’Connor Insurance Industry Team includes fellows in the American College of Trial Lawyers, International Academy of Trial Lawyers and American College of Coverage and Extra-contractual Counsel. Numerous individual lawyers and insurance-related practice groups have received the highest rankings by Chambers & Partners and other independent legal publications. Our insurance attorneys publish and lecture widely, and several have authored frequently cited insurance law treatises.
Stephen Pate, of Cozen O'Connor's Global Insurance department, wrote an article titled, "A Perfect Storm: FDR, Pappy O'Daniel, Huey Long's Ghost, and the Failed Fifth Circuit Nomination of James V Allred" for the Journal of the Texas Supreme Court Historical Society.
Dina Richman, of Cozen O'Connor's Global Insurance Department, wrote an article for the DRI titled, "Insuring Fine Art: The Visual Artists Rights Act and Its Implications for Insurance Claims."
Dina Richman, of Cozen O'Connor's Global Insurance Department, is a contributing author "Her Story: Lessons in Success from Lawyers Who Live It."
Stephen Pate, of Cozen O'Connor's Global Insurance department, wrote an article titled "When LBJ Got His Way: The Making of a Texas Federal Judge, 1959" for the Journal of the Texas Supreme Court Historical Society.
In an article recently published in Claims Magazine titled Thor's Hammer: Hidden hazards in nonmetallic cable installations, Peter Lynch a member in the firm's Subrogation & Recovery group discusses the hidden hazards in nonmetallic cable installations that pose potential fire hazards.
Benjamin Branda, an associate in the firm's Global Insurance Practice, authored, "Up in the Airwaves: Technological Determinism, the Public Performance Right, and Aereo’s Uncertain Future" in Wake Forest Journal of Business and Intellectual Property Law.
Social media, whether it be posted comments, photographs, video footage or other media, has clearly emerged over the last few years as a new and sometimes generous source of information to assist with recovery efforts. From insureds to possible targets to third-party witnesses, it is clear people are now more accustomed to posting what occurs in their daily lives to their social media accounts, which also necessarily means there is a good chance loss related information has and will continue to find its way into the world of social media. But often times, What is and what is not discoverable when it comes to “social media”? is a question that gives insurance claims professionals and their subrogation counsel a moment of pause when litigating a subrogation claim and considering whether to explore social media as source of useful information. Three recent cases in Florida, provide further guidance on how far a litigant can go in seeking discovery of social media.
In this Best's Review article title "The Front Cover" Andrew Tobin discusses the London market insurers and the use of "fronted" facultative reinsurance.
In Schroeder v. Weighall, the Washington Supreme Court invalidated another portion of Washington’s medical malpractice reform legislation. Specifically, the court invalidated RCW 4.16.190(2), which had eliminated the tolling of the statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims brought by those who alleged malpractice in their care as minors. The court held that the statute violated Article I, Section 12 of the Washington State Constitution, and reversed the trial court’s summary judgment order dismissing Jaryd Schroeder’s medical malpractice action.
With the arrival of the new year, many are applying the mantra “out with the old, in with the new.” Although this may be motivational for personal resolutions, it does not generally apply in the context of law as last year’s law is often the basis for this year’s lawsuit. The best strategy to prevent bad faith litigation is to be aware of the current trends and decisions (see links). The following bad faith decisions showcase some of the best and the worst holdings for insurers in 2013. We will continue to monitor and report on any major developments in 2014.
Farmers tend to their crops by considering factors such as temperature, humidity, chemical levels and the impact of rodents and insects, but the methods of monitoring and responding to these core concepts have evolved. Farmers, like the rest of us, want to work efficiently and cost effectively. Thus, they are using agriculture-monitoring devices to handle these tasks and determine when to water, when to cover their crops and when to till their soils.
Recently, in IBEW Local 90 Pension Fund v. Deutsche Bank AG, No. 11-cv-4209, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 155136 (S.D.N.Y. Oct. 29, 2013), District Judge Kathleen Forrest declined to certify a class of securities plaintiffs and granted the defendant, Deutsche Bank’s (DB), Daubert motion to exclude all testimony of the plaintiffs’ market efficiency and damages expert. This relatively rare ruling is significant for securities defendants and their D&O insurers. As the court observed, because the vast majority of securities cases settle once a class is certified, class certification has come to mark a “crucial inflection point in securities litigation.” The case highlights a significant hurdle that securities plaintiffs may face at the class certification stage. Moreover, the decision illustrates how foreign issuers in a post-Morrison environment may be further insulated from U.S. liability even as to that portion of their securities traded on a domestic exchange.
We have all seen the Herculean deeds of a superhero on television or in the movies. They knock over buildings, use buses as weapons and generally cause super-sized amounts of property damage. Have you ever wondered who pays for the property damages left in the wake of a superhero? With no superhero exclusion, a property policy might just cover these situations. So, if the insurer pays for the damage caused by the actions of a superhero, is there a path for subrogation recovery? Let’s dive into that world, and find out.
Molly Eckman discusses the Senate Bill 814 which puts into law the creating of sweeping reforms on environmental claims-handling regulations and available remedies for insured facing liability for cleanup of contaminated property in the state of Oregon.
The U.S. District Court in the Southern District of New York recently granted, in part, a reinsurer’s motion for summary judgment on a late notice defense, but ruled the issue of whether a reinsurer was prejudiced by the cedent’s late notice will have to be determined at trial. In Ins. Co. of the State of Pa. v. Argonaut Ins. Co., the Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania, filed suit against its quota-share reinsurer, Argonaut, seeking reimbursement under a facultative reinsurance certificate. ICSOP sought to recover losses paid to its insured for asbestos bodily injury claims pursuant to a reinsured excess umbrella policy.
In 2011, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) explicitly rejected negative corpus as a reliable methodology in fire investigation. Section 18.6.5 presents a significant obstacle to subrogation actions when a fire’s ignition source cannot be conclusively determined due to the damage caused by the fire, particularly when it is believed that the fire was caused by a discarded cigarette. However, a recent decision in a case being handled by Cozen O’Connor from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio may serve as valuable precedent in such circumstances.
Recently, wildfires have besieged the Western United States again. Severe heat and drought conditions increase not only the potential for fires but the available fuel if a fire ignites. The Tres Lagunas fire burned more than 10,000 acres of land and was started by downed utility lines. Although the Tres Lagunas fire was contained before any property damage occurred, it is interesting to use it as a case study to consider when investigating fires started by utility lines.
Law 360 reports that policyholders have chalked up major wins at the New York Court of Appeals and the Illinois Supreme Court this year, clinching rulings that widen coverage for defense costs, statutory damages and disgorgement losses, while excess insurers are cheering the Second Circuit for shielding their policies from being triggered early.
On June 11, 2013, the New York Court of Appeals, in J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc., et al. v. Vigilant Insurance Company, et al., reinstated a declaratory judgment action against D&O Liability insurers, reasoning that an SEC order requiring Bear Stearns & Co., Inc. (Bear Stearns) to pay $160 million in disgorgement did not conclusively establish that the payment was uninsurable.
The decision, which ordered the defendants to produce documents and the clerk to unseal papers filed in motion practice, represents a new and troubling broadening of the scope of discovery in bad faith cases.
The 2nd Circuit's decision affirmed the Southern District of New York’s dismissal of Saint Vincent’s claims and addressed the pleading standards for allegations of breach of fiduciary duty with respect to management of an ERISA plan.
On March 13, 2013, the Oregon legislature introduced Senate Bill 814 to create sweeping reforms on environmental claims handling regulations and available remedies for insureds facing liability for cleanup of contaminated property located in the state.
It may be surprising to learn that currently there is no federal law requiring the installation of fire sprinklers in residential structures. Despite most states and municipalities requiring fire sprinkler systems in commercial structures, few states or municipalities have tried to implement this requirement in residential structures. In 2011, U.S. fire departments responded to 370,000 home structure fires causing $6.9 billion in direct damage. According to the 2009 American Housing Survey, 4.6 percent of occupied homes (including multi-unit) had sprinklers, up from 3.9 percent in 2007.
What is the value of a prized pet? Will the law on pet value change in Texas in 2013? How do other states value pets? Those questions and others are addressed in our December Subrogation Alert discussing whether the sentimental value of a pet can be recovered.
Fifth Circuit Reverses Itself on Hurricane Katrina Cases, Raises Bar for Pursuing Flood Claims Against Army Corps of Engineers - Subrogation and Recovery Alert! - Flood damage subrogation claims are likely to be harder to pursue against the Army Corps and potentially other governmental entities according to a recent U. S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals case discussing Hurricane Katrina losses.
ATF Critical of Electrical Arc Bead Recognition Study - Subrogation and Recovery Alert! - A new Technical Bulletin (Tech. Bull. 001-9/28/2012) issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms critiques an earlier National Institute of Justice funded report on inspecting electrical conductors involved in fires. This ATF Technical Bulletin is important reading for anyone handling fire losses involving electrical equipment or electrical lines.
Maryland's Rule of Contributory Negligence - Subrogation and Recovery Alert! - For the past 165 years in Maryland, if a jury found a plaintiff even as little as 1 percent responsible for an alleged injury, any recovery against the defendant(s) was barred. This is known as the contributory negligence doctrine.
claim blanket protection under an exculpatory provision if they were potentially reckless in bringing about a loss.
Fire on the Mountain: Rapidly Growing Fire on Capser Mountain Near Casper, Wyoming - Subrogation and Recovery Alert! - A rapidly spreading wildfire, the Sheep Herder Hill fire, that broke out on the afternoon of Sunday, September 9, 2012, has now burned at least six structures, more than seven-square-miles, and forced some 500 people to evacuate from Casper Mountain, according to the Associated Press on Monday.
GE Dishwashers - Recall and Investigation by CPSC - Subrogation and Recovery Alert! - The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a recall of GE dishwashers. The CPSC recall affects about 1,300,000 dishwashers for the Brands GE, GE Adora, GE Eterna, GE Profile and Hotpoint.
Cle Elum Burning: The Taylor Bridge Fire - Subrogation and Recovery Alert! - On Monday August 13 a fire broke out in the rural area around Cle Elum, Washington.
The Decision in Phaneuf Funeral home v. Little Giant Pump Co.: Statute of Repose in New Hampshire Now Only Protects Manufacturers & Sellers of Products Who Were Involved In the Transformation of the Products into Improvements - Subrogation and Recovery Alert! - What factors determine whether manufacturers or sellers of products incorporated into an improvement to a structure are protected by the statute of repose?
Jeep Grand Cherokees and Dodge Ram 1500s-Investigations by NHTSA - Subrogation and Recovery Alert! - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened two preliminary investigations into the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV and 2009-2012 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup. The NHTSA investigation affects 106,863 2012 Grand Cherokee vehicles and 230,000 Dodge Ram trucks. This Alert reviews what is known about the preliminary investigations into these vehicular investigations involving potential fires.
General Motors is recalling nearly all Chevy Cruze models built in the United States since the vehicle’s introduction two years ago. The company knows of 30 fires caused by the problem, but no injuries have been reported, spokesman Alan Adler said. Flames engulfed and destroyed cars in two cases reported to federal safety officials.
50 State Survey of Measure of Damages For Injury to Real and Personal Property - Jurisdictions Comparative Chart - This chart provides a general overview of the case law addressing the measure of damages for property damage in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia.
Colorado Burning - Subrogation and Recovery Alert! - Due to lower than expected snowpack this past winter, recent high temperatures and low humidity, the Colorado high country has become a tinderbox.
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Rules "Any Exposure" to Asbestos Fibers Does Not Pass Evidentiary Muster Under Frye (in a Decision with Significant Implications for Insurers - Global Insurance Alert - On May 23, 2012, a unanimous Pennsylvania Supreme Court rejected the admissibility of “any exposure” expert opinion testimony, which is commonly advanced by asbestos plaintiffs.
When Loss Ensues: Washington State Supreme Court Issues Mixed Messages on Ensuing Loss Provisions in All-Risk Policies - Global Insurance Alert - All‐risk property insurance policies generally provide coverage for any peril that causes property damage, except when the damage is caused by a risk specifically excluded in the policy.
Washington Court Holds that a Corporate Officer's Breach of Contract is Not a Covered 'Loss' from a 'Wrongful Act' Under a D&O Policy - Global Insurance Alert - In a recent case, Sauter v. Houston Cas. Co., No. 66809-9-1, (May 14, 2012), a Washington appeals court analyzed a type of policy not often considered by Washington courts – a director and officer (D&O) policy.
Don’t Forget Contract Claims! Another Possible Theory of Recovery in Cases Against the United States - Subrogation and Recovery Alert! - Do you have a claim against the United States? You already may know about how to proceed under the Federal Tort Claims Act. Have you also considered a breach of contract claim, in addition to any tort claim? If not, you need to assess whether the Contract Disputes Act, 41 U.S.C. section 7101, et seq. applies to your contract claim.
not hold a reinsurer or third-party claims administrators liable for allegedly assuming the direct insurer’s insuring obligations or tortious interference.
Evaluating Subrogation Claims Arising from the Lower North Fork Wildfire in Jefferson County, Colorado - Subrogation and Recovery Alert! - On Monday, March 19, 2012, the Colorado State Forest Service initiated a controlled burn on property owned by the Denver Water Board located in Jefferson County, Colo. This 50 acre prescribed burn was part of an ongoing fuel management program in the Lower North Fork area as part of a service agreement between the Colorado State Forest Service and the Denver Water Board.
Indiana Supreme Court Again Finds the Pollution Exclusion Ambiguous, But Indicates a Possible Way Forward - Global Insurance Alert! - Enforcing the pollution exclusion clause in a commercial general liability policy continues to be problematic for insurers in the state of Indiana. On March 20, 2012, the Indiana Supreme Court once again held that the absolute pollution exclusion is unenforceable because of the term "pollutant" is ambiguous.
Subrogation In Fire Cases With No Known Cause - Not Just Blowing Smoke! - Subrogation and Recovery Alert! - The immediate investigation of loss sites, especially those involving fires, enhances subrogation recognition and maximizes recovery.
Virginia Supreme Court Grants Rehearing on Whether Emission of Carbon Dioxide Constitutes an "Occurrence" - Global Insurance Alert! - On January 17, 2012, the Supreme Court of Virginia set aside its groundbreaking judgment in AES Corporation v. Steadfast Insurance Company, 282 Va. 252 (2011), which held that the emission of carbon dioxide was not an “occurrence” within the meaning of a general liability policy.
The Erosion Continues: Washington Supreme Court Expands the Olympic Steamship Rule and Finds a Viable Bad Faith Claim by a PIP "Insured" - Global Insurance Alert! - In Matsyuk v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co., 2012 Wash. LEXIS 119 (Feb.9 2012), the Washington Supreme Court held that: (1) a tortfeasor's insurer that provides both Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and liability coverage must pay a pro rata share of the attorney fees incurred by the PIP insureds via the equitable "common fund" doctrine, even though the insurer derived no benefit from the "fund"
California, Washington and New York to Require Most Insurers Doing Business in Their States to File Climate Change Disclosures - Global Insurance Alert! - On February 1, 2012, California's Insurance Commissioner, Dave Jones, announced that California would join New York and Washington in requiring insurers to disclose how climate change may affect their business. The three states will now require all insurers writing in excess of $300 million in direct premiums to respond to a climate change survey form developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
v. Crane Co., 2012 WL 88533 (Jan. 12, 2012).
Good-Faith Basis of Settlement Agreements Between Ceding Insurers and Insureds Is a Question of Fact - Global Insurance Alert! - The "follow the fortunes" and "follow the settlements" doctrines often preclude reinsurers from re-examining the conduct of cedents in settling claims. However, a recent ruling by Supreme Court of New York, Appellate Division, calls into question this conventional wisdom.
a $4.7 million Hurricane Ike property damage claim.
Professional Liability: J.P. Morgan Securities: Ill-Gotten Profits are Not a Prerequisite for Disgorgement - Insurance Coverage Alert! - In December 13, 2011, the New York Appellate Division, First Department, issued a decision in J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. v. Vigilant Insurance Co., Index No. 600979/09 (N.Y.A.D. 1st Dep’t Dec. 13, 2011), that significantly adds to the jurisprudence regarding what constitutes disgorgement that is uninsurable under a directors and officers liability policy.

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