Indiana Court of Appeals Rules Insurance Policy’s Lead Exclusion Unambiguously Barred Coverage
Indiana Farmers Mut. Ins. Co. v. HomeWorks Management Corp., 2022 WL 17825975 (Ind. Ct. App. 2022) Parents claimed their children suffered respiratory problems because of lead-based paint and dust in the home they rented. The parents filed a lawsuit against the management company and owners of the rental home. The owners submitted a claim to […]
“No Pay, No Play” Statute Bars Uninsured Motorist From Recovering Noneconomic Damages From At-Fault Motorist
Jones v. Lofton 2022 WL 17840259 (Ind. Ct. App. 2022) Indiana is one of a minority of states that has enacted what is commonly called a “No Pay, No Play” statute. Indiana’s version of the statute (which is, in fact, two statutes) bars “an uninsured motorist with a previous violation” of failing to provide proof […]
Court of Appeals Holds That Subcontractor’s Insurer Had Duty to Defend but Not Indemnify General Contractor
Scottsdale Ins. Co. v. Harsco Corp. 2022 WL 17087036 (Ind. Ct. App. 2022) Harsco Corporation (“Harsco”) contracted with PPL Montour Company (“PPL”) to build and maintain an elevator at a PPL worksite in Pennsylvania. Harsco subcontracted with Metro Elevator Company (“Metro”) to lease and install the elevator. Consistent with the subcontract, Metro’s commercial general liability […]
Indiana Federal Court Holds That “Professional Services” Exclusion Did Not Relieve Insurer of Duty to Defend Landfill Against Nuisance and Negligence Claims
Savers Prop. & Cas. Ins. Co. v. Rockhill Ins. Co. 2022 WL 9461874 (S.D. Ind. 2022) In Savers Prop. & Cas. Ins. Co. v. Rockhill Ins. Co., county residents sued a nearby landfill, claiming they and their properties were being harmed by noxious odors, pollutants, and contaminants originating from the landfill. The landfill sought coverage […]
Seventh Circuit Holds Insurer Did Not Breach Policy or Act in Bad Faith By Treating Rather Than Euthanizing Show Horse
Greenbank v. Great Am. Assurance Co., 2022 WL 3754722 (7th Cir. 2022) Julie Greenbank purchased an athletic show horse named Thomas. Greenbank obtained a mortality insurance policy from Great American Assurance Company that provided coverage in the event of Thomas’ death or his “authorized humane destruction.” The policy defined “authorized humane destruction” as “the intentional […]
Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals Affirms Indiana District Court Finding No Coverage for COVID-19 Business Interruption Claims
Circle Block Partners v. Fireman’s Fund Ins. Co. 2022 WL 3401535 (7th Cir. 2022) The Seventh Circuit Federal Court has weighed in on whether business owners’ claims for business interruption losses from the COVID-19 pandemic are covered under business policies. The owners of the Conrad Hotel in Indianapolis submitted a claim to its insurer seeking […]
Indiana Supreme Court Holds That Insurer Lacked Duty to Defend Bar Against Injured Motorists’ Lawsuit Stemming from Bar Expelling Intoxicated Patron
Ebert v. Illinois Cas. Co., 2022 WL 2166233 (Ind. 2022) In September 2021, we reported on the Indiana Court of Appeals’ decision in this coverage dispute, which stems from a drunk driving accident. A bar called Big Daddy’s served alcohol to William Spence, who was later told to leave the bar by an off-duty bouncer […]
Indiana Court of Appeals Determines That UIM Insurer’s Liability for Properly Recorded Hospital Lien Does Not Exceed Coverage Limits
Parkview Hospital, Inc. v. American Family Ins. Co. 2022 WL 1132893 (Ind. Ct. App. 2022) The present appeal is the second in this dispute between a hospital and an underinsured motorist’s (“UIM”) insurer (American Family). American Family’s insured was involved in an automobile accident in Ohio and received treatment from Parkview Hospital, located in […]
Indiana Supreme Court Holds That MCS-90 Endorsement Does Not Apply to Motor Carrier’s Intrastate Travel
Progressive Southeastern Ins. Co. v. Brown, 2022 WL 575417 (Ind. 2022) In June 2021, we reported on the Indiana Court of Appeals’ decision in this matter, which concerns the MCS-90 endorsement. The MCS-90 endorsement is required by federal law to be included in insurance policies issued to motor carriers operating under the regulations of the United […]
Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals Determines Competitor’s Lawsuit Alleging Insured Created a “Knock-off Trailer” Was Not an Advertising Injury Entitled to Coverage
The Aluminum Trailer Company d/b/a ATC Trailers v. Westchester Fire Ins. Co., 2022 WL 278614 (7th Cir. 2022) Aluminum Trailer Company d/b/a ATC Trailers (“ATC”) was sued by Sidi Spaces, LLC d/b/a BizBox (“BizBox”) for breach of contract and tortious interference with its business expectancies. BizBox alleged that ATC manufactured and sold a “knock-off” trailer […]