Claims, Case Law, and Legal Articles
Latest Articles
Courts and Coverage
AI Can Define "Standard of Care" in the Courtroom
2025-10-31 | Doug Marcello
Doug Marcello looks at how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used in the courtroom to help eliminate bias by offering data-driven reality.
Claims Practices
Intentional Injury Not Dischargeable in Bankruptcy
2025-10-28 | Barry Zalma
Bankruptcy is not available to protect a person from their intentional and willful acts. Barry Zalma relates a recent case on the issue.
Courts and Coverage
Texas Supreme Court Gets It Right: Trucker Was Not the Proximate Cause of the Accident
2025-07-25 | Doug Marcello
Doug Marcello relates a case where the trucker was (finally) determined not to be the proximate cause of an accident.
Courts and Coverage
Breaking Coverage Case—"Additional Named Insured" Not Enough for Owner Under Builders Risk Policy
2025-07-16 | Jes Alexander
The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment for Travelers, holding that a property owner could not recover for lost rental income or soft costs under a builders risk policy because it was only an "additional named insured" and not the "named insured" under the policy. The court held that the policy limited coverage for such losses to the "named insured" only.
Claims Practices
Failure to Read Policy Proves Fatal to Claim
2025-07-15 | Barry Zalma
The Georgia Court of Appeals holds that ignorance of underinsured motorist coverage for a pedestrian hit by a car is inexcusable. Barry Zalma relates the case.
Courts and Coverage
Breaking Coverage Case—Oregon High Court Issues Major Construction Defect Ruling
2025-05-30 | Jes Alexander
The Oregon Supreme Court held that a commercial general liability (CGL) policy may provide coverage for construction claims against a general contractor, even where the underlying claim alleged only a breach of contract and not negligence. The court held that, despite the breach of contract labels, construction defects might have resulted from negligent conduct that a CGL policy would cover.
Claims Practices
Lawyer Convicted of Workers Compensation Fraud
2025-04-25 | Barry Zalma
Barry Zalma relates a California case where a jury convicted the plaintiff of 37 felony counts of fraud, but, on appeal, his conviction was partially reversed to the Williamson rule.
Courts and Coverage
Breaking Coverage Case—California Court Rules No Coverage for Wildfire Smoke Losses
2025-02-27 | Jes Alexander
Learn about a California appellate court ruling holding that homeowners claiming smoke damages from a wildfire were not entitled to coverage under their homeowners policy.
Claims Practices
How and Why California Killed Third-Party Bad Faith
2025-01-31 | Barry Zalma
Barry Zalma discusses the reversal of the 1979 "Royal Globe" case in 1988 by the California Supreme Court and its ramifications.
Courts and Coverage
Breaking Coverage Case—No CGL Coverage Owed for Home Depot Data Breach
2025-01-31 | Jes Alexander
Learn about the court ruling upholding the denial of commercial general liability (CGL) coverage for Home Depot following a significant data breach. This case highlights the limitations of traditional liability policies in covering cyber risks and the importance of specialized cyber insurance. (Links to policies provided.)
Courts and Coverage
Texas Supreme Court Gets It Right: Trucker Was Not the Proximate Cause of the Accident
2025-07-25 | Doug Marcello
Courts and Coverage
Breaking Coverage Case—"Additional Named Insured" Not Enough for Owner Under Builders Risk Policy
2025-07-16 | Jes Alexander
Courts and Coverage
Breaking Coverage Case—Oregon High Court Issues Major Construction Defect Ruling
2025-05-30 | Jes Alexander
Courts and Coverage
Breaking Coverage Case—California Court Rules No Coverage for Wildfire Smoke Losses
2025-02-27 | Jes Alexander
Courts and Coverage
Breaking Coverage Case—No CGL Coverage Owed for Home Depot Data Breach
2025-01-31 | Jes Alexander
