Engaged by insurance agent’s defense counsel to analyze allegations of Insurance Agent Errors and Omissions and Insurance Bad Faith. Case involved multiple Commercial Auto policies, Commercial General Liability, Professional Liability and required analysis of coverage grants for loading/unloading. Dispute followed carrier claim denial due to vehicle in question not being described as a ‘Covered Auto’. Attorneys Amanda Harvey and Kayleigh Watson, Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP (214) 698-8000. National Ambulance v. Hija Insurance Agency, et al. Cause No. 2016-52143 In 11th Judicial District Court, Harris County, Texas.
Category: All Cases
24
Jan2018
Retained by defense counsel to provide analysis and opinions regarding Agent Errors & Omissions and Insurance Bad Faith relative to a Professional Liability policy renewal. Case included allegations of failure to procure alongside issues of questionable policyholder Medical Malpractice claims reporting. Surplus Lines carrier renewed a Claims Made policy with a material reduction of coverage; subsequent claim denial resulted in litigation involving multiple parties. Attorneys Paul Gerding and Echo Reynolds, Kutak Rock LLP (480) 429-5000. Infini v. Wells Fargo Insurance Services USA, Inc., et al; Case No. 2:16-cv-03874-PHX-GMS In The United States District Court, District Of Arizona
January 24, 2018Don Hirsch
26
Nov2017
Engaged by defense counsel to address allegations of Insurance Agent E&O / Bad Faith involving Business Income – Rents insurance. Dispute resulted following a restaurant fire loss and subsequent carrier denial of landlord’s claim for Rents coverage under tenant’s Property insurance policy. Case required analysis of insurance requirements in a building lease, numerous years of tenant and landlord carrier/coverage histories and associated Certificates of Insurance. Attorneys Bill Threlkeld and James Wilcoxen, Fenton, Fenton, Smith, Reneau & Moon, PC, (405) 235-4671. PWB v. Frates Insurance, Case No. CIV-17-387-R, In The United States District Court For The Western District of Oklahoma.
November 26, 2017Don Hirsch
20
Sep2017
Engaged by policyholder counsel to analyze and opine on issues relative to Agents Errors & Omissions relative to Business Income coverage. Dispute resulted from Insurance agency’s failure to follow up with policyholder on carrier request for Business Income underwriting information at a new location. This failure resulted in partial denial of a Business Income claim when a building collapsed. Attorneys Mike Abrams and Kim Winter, Lathrop Gage, LLC (816) 460-5530. Axiom v. Marrs & Davolt, Case No. 16CY-CV00586 Division No. 5, In the Circuit Court of Clay County Missouri.
September 20, 2017Don Hirsch
21
Jul2017
Engaged by defense counsel to analyze Agent Errors & Omissions issues relative to whether the agent was provided a copy of an oil field services Master Services Agreement. Plaintiff had failed to provide the agent with accurate information to obtain Jones Act / USL&H Maritime Workers Compensation and/or Other States coverage. The dispute resulted from the Commercial General Liability carrier denial of a contractual liability indemnity claim (under the customer’s MSA) for an employee injury which occurred over water. Zadok v. Bell Insurance, Cause No. 2016-44757 In 80th Judicial District Court, Harris County, Texas. Attorneys Ryan Brown and Nathan Shackelford, Hermes Law, PC (214) 749-6800.
July 21, 2017Don Hirsch
23
May2017
Engaged by counsel defending insurance agent against Agent Errors & Omissions failure to procure allegations. Case involved carrier notice to the insured that the flood peril would be removed at renewal of its property policy. Agent received no response to NFIP flood quotes provided to the policyholder. Policyholder now asserts that it instructed agent to procure NFIP replacement policies for two locations which subsequently sustained uncovered flood losses. Attorney Anthony Green, Winget, Spadafora & Schwartzberg, LLP (212) 221-6900. Pinnacle Property v. Haylor Freyer & Coon, et al, Index No.: 2016EF2833, Supreme Court of The State of New York County of Onondaga.
May 23, 2017Don Hirsch
23
May2017
Engaged by policyholder counsel as their designated Property and Business Income expert to opine regarding claims handling for two Business Interruptions resulting from one water loss. Case involved partial claim denial for a furniture store’s second temporary business closure. Attorney Michael Collins, Hill Farrer & Burrill LLP, (213) 620-0460. Leather Expo, Inc. v. California Capital Insurance Co., Case No. BC611176 Superior Court Of The State of California County of Los Angeles Central District.
May 23, 2017Don Hirsch
23
Apr2017
Designated as an Arbitrator in a carrier dispute with its Managing General Agency / Third Party Administrator relative to a Personal Auto program. Case involved analysis of underwriting criteria, claims handling custom and practice and allegations of Insurance Agent Errors and Omissions. Attorney Dan Vana, Benjamin, Vana, Martinez & Biggs LLP (210) 881-0667. National Unity Insurance Company, Petitioner, v. Tejas Seguros, LLC, Respondent; Proceeding in Arbitration
April 23, 2017Don Hirsch
27
Feb2017
Engaged by carrier’s defense counsel to evaluate Notice of Cancellation issues for a Personal Auto policy. Petition included allegations of Insurance Bad Faith claims handling for claim denial after a policy cancelled for nonpayment. Attorneys Dawn Goeres and Tom Cooper, Pignato, Cooper, Kolker & Roberson, P.C. (405) 606-3333. Petro v. American Mercury, Case No. CJ-2016-33 In The District Court of Rogers County, Oklahoma.
February 27, 2017Don Hirsch
24
Feb2017
Engaged by counsel defending insurance carrier against allegations of Bad Faith Claims Handling. Case involved a Motor Truck Cargo total fire loss of load being hauled, and subsequent claim denial by carrier. Two expert reports were required: carrier was initially Defendant (against policyholder allegations) and later Third Party Plaintiff (when it joined the insurance agency as a Third Party Defendant). Case required expertise with Inland Marine policy forms, Motor Truck Cargo coverage placement through a wholesale broker / Purchasing Group master policy and Agent Errors & Omissions regarding non-disclosure of terms & conditions to policyholder. Attorney John Kazen – Kazen, Meurer & Perez (956) 712-1600. Zebra Carriers v. Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association Insurance Company v. Solo Trucking Insurance Agency; Cause No. 2015-CVQ-003844-D2 In 111th Judicial District Court, Webb County, Texas.
February 24, 2017Don Hirsch