Opinion ID: 444372
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Kavanaugh's Claim on Appeal

Text: 35 Kavanaugh argues that the appeal brought by Fireman's Fund--concerning the dismissal of its claim for indemnity against Kavanaugh--is frivolous, and that under Fed.R.App.P. 38 (Rule 38), he should be awarded expenses and attorneys' fees incurred in opposing the appeal. 7 36 Fees have been awarded under Rule 38 where the appeal was absolutely without merit and was an attempt to avoid certain obligations, see Brady v. Chemical Constr. Corp., 740 F.2d 195 at 202 (2d Cir.1984), or where the claims were far-fetched and the appeal was simply a calculated delay. See Oscar Gruss & Son. v. Lumbermens Mut. Casualty Co., 422 F.2d 1278, 1283 (2d Cir.1970). 37 Fireman's Fund's claim for indemnity against Kavanaugh was based on Utica's allegations that it had sustained a loss as a result of Turner's dealings with Kavanaugh. Fireman's Fund's claims--and therefore its appeal of the dismissal of those claims--cannot be characterized as being completely without merit and the appeal obviously did not involve an attempt to avoid financial obligations since Fireman's Fund had no such obligations. Fireman's Fund's appeal was not frivolous; Kavanaugh, therefore, is not entitled to an award of fees or costs.