Opinion ID: 50547
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Email

Text: In the August 2001 email from Shaw to Moray, Shaw wrote, in part: We are not convinced that Liberty International Underwriters’ Policy RG2-W31-004265-010 does not apply. As such, we are forced to negotiate settlement in this matter with minimal contribution from Liberty International Underwriters. Please be advised that we are doing so under a full reservation of rights under the policies, and that we specifically reserve the right to resolve the coverage issues after the fact. 15 Fireman’s Fund contends that this email constitutes a presettlement, mutual agreement to reserve the right to litigate the parties’ coverage issues subsequently. We disagree. In his email, Shaw purports unilaterally to reserve Fireman’s Fund’s right to litigate. This is not sufficient to preclude application of the voluntary payment doctrine, which requires that all interested parties mutually agree to litigate subsequently.