On September 4, 2014, in the latest in a series of rulings on the issue of whether MF Global’s D&O insurers may pay the defense expenses the company’s former officers and directors are incurring in the various lawsuits pending against them, Southern District of New York Bankruptcy Judge Martin Glenn held that the insurers may
Montana Supreme Court: Not Necessary to Consider Underlying Allegations or Policy Terms to Determine Insurer’s Defense Duty
As part of our beat here at The D&O Diary, we read a lot of judicial opinions. We like nothing better than to read an appellate opinion where a dissenting justice and the majority really mix thing up. For that reason alone, we read the recent insurance coverage decision out of the Montana Supreme
Professional Liability Insurance: Application Misrepresentation Precludes Coverage for Legal Malpractice Claim
In a July 31, 2014 opinion (here), Central District of California Judge Fernando M. Olguin, applying California law, granted a professional liability insurer’s motion for summary judgment in a coverage lawsuit brought by the Blum Collins LLP law firm and Craig M. Collins dba the Collins Law Firm for breach Judge Olguin
Management Liability Insurance and Immigration Enforcement
In a May 1, 2014 opinion (here), District of Kansas Judge Sam A. Crow, applying Illinois law, held that neither the EPL insurance coverage part nor the D&O insurance coverage part of a restaurant company’s management liability insurance policy covered the defense fees incurred or the forfeiture amount ordered in an immigration
Despite Policyholder’s Delayed Notice, Insurer Must Cover Subsequent Claims Related to Earlier Timely Claim
On July 16, 2014, the Eighth Circuit, applying New York law, concluded that because a financial services firm’s professional liability insurance policy was ambiguous on the question whether the policy’s timely notice requirements apply to later claims related to a timely original claim, the policy provides coverage for the later claims. The district court had
D&O Insurance: FDIC’s Claims Against Failed Bank’s Directors and Officers Not Related to Earlier Claims, Trigger Separate Policy Period
On July 9, 2014, in yet another in the ever growing line of cases examining whether or not separate D&O claims involving interrelated wrongful acts, District of Puerto Rico Judge Gustavo Gelpi, applying Puerto Rico law, held that the FDIC’s claims against the former directors and officers of the failed Westernbank did not involve
Court Holds Professional Liability Insurance Covers Restitutionary Settlement
On July 3, 2014, in an interesting decision that is sure to stir up much discussion and controversy, District of Minnesota Judge Paul Magnuson, applying Delaware law, held that U.S. Bank was entitled to coverage under its professional liability insurance for restitutionary amounts it paid in settlement of an overdraft fee overcharge class action. The
D&O Insurance: Excess Insurance Not Triggered Due to Insolvency of Underlying Insurer and Due to Insufficient Loss
In a long and convoluted opinion befitting the long and convoluted case in which it was entered, Judge David Grine of the Pennsylvania (Centre Country) Court of Common Pleas, applying Pennsylvania law, entered summary judgment for an excess D&O insurer, holding that the excess insurer’s payment obligation had not been triggered due to the insolvency
D&O Insurance: Liberalization Endorsement Allows Insureds to Rely on New Policy Form’s Enhanced Insured vs. Insured Exclusion Carve-Back
On June 19, 2014, in a case involving so many unusual coverage issues that it seems more like a law school exam question than an actual coverage dispute, New York (New York County) Supreme Court Judge Melvin Schweitzer, applying New York law, granted summary judgment for the former directors of the bankrupt Lyondell Chemical Company
Insurance Coverage: Six-Month Delay in Providing Notice Not “As Soon as Practicable”
Has notice of claim been provided “as soon as practicable” if it is sent to the insurer during the policy period but six months after service on the insured of the underlying complaint? Apparently not, at least according to a June 6, 2014 opinion of a New Jersey intermediate appellate court, applying New Jersey law.