Engaged by counsel defending allegations of bad faith for both Managing General Agent E&O and carrier claims handling practices. Dispute resulted from denial of ‘Well Out of Control’ and pollution claims from a ‘plugged & abandoned well’ fluids release. Case required analysis of an Energy Exploration & Development policy relative to first party property and third party pollution liability coverage. Denbury Resources v. Lloyds of London, et al; Cause No. 2012-10397 In The District Court of Harris County, Texas, 270th Judicial District. Attorneys Bart Hall and Jonathan Womack, Phelps Dunbar LLP (504) 566-1311.
Category: Commercial General Liability
01
Apr2013
Engaged by policyholder counsel as its Commercial General Liability and Pollution Liability expert relative to Insurance Bad Faith claims handling. Environmental contamination resulted from a pipeline valve failure, requiring site remediation. Litigation resulted following carrier’s denial of the pollution claim based on alleged late reporting. Arrow Pipeline v. National American Insurance Co., et al; Case No. CJ-2012-00313 In the District Court of Tulsa County, State of Oklahoma. Attorney Mark Blongewicz, Hall Estill Attorneys (918) 594-0400.
April 1, 2013burld
01
Jul2012
Engaged by counsel for third party seeking to compel vicarious liability coverage for a non-owned watercraft accident. Case included issues of Insurance Bad Faith stemming from carrier’s denial of a Commercial Umbrella claim. The Umbrella was placed as Surplus Lines using an ISO-based policy form with a manuscript Marine Liability endorsement. Case required knowledge of the nuances between Commercial General Liability and Excess Marine Liabilities. Antill Pipeline v. Chartis; Civil Action No. 09-3646, c/w 10-2633, and c/w 11-2131 in United States District Court Section C-2 for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Attorneys Bob Reich and Larry Plunkett – Reich, Album & Plunkett, LLC (504) 830-3999.
July 1, 2012burld
03
Feb2012
Consulting expert engaged by counsel for carrier and surplus lines agent pursuing recovery from retail agent. Case involved placement issues for a Food Borne Illness policy covering Trade Name Restoration, Loss of Business Income and Incident Response. Following claim denial for an E-coli outbreak, litigation resulted from retail agent’s “failure to disclose material terms” to restaurant franchisees enrolled under a Master policy. Lloyds and Professional Liability Insurance Services v. IMA of Kansas; Cause no. D-1-GN-10-004172 In District Court of Travis County, Texas, 353rd Judicial District. Attorney Christopher White, Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP (214) 722-7100.
February 3, 2012burld
01
Feb2012
Engaged by carrier as Claims Made and Reported Professional Liability Insurance expert. Case involved late notice of claim and required expertise with Agents Errors & Omissions, Commercial General Liability (including Pollution Liability) and Commercial Umbrella. Environmental Analytics, Inc. v. Chartis Claims, Inc., et al. Cause No. 2010-42050; In The 234th J.D. Court Harris County, Texas. Attorneys Tim Kilgore and Dan Lynn, Jackson & Campbell, PC (202) 457-1632.
February 1, 2012burld
01
Apr2011
Engaged by counsel for third party seeking recovery for construction defect claims. Case required coverage analysis of contractor’s Commercial General Liability in contrast to manufacturer’s Products Liability as well as Insurance Bad Faith in regards to carrier claims handling practices. Mid-Continent Casualty v. Advantage Buildings, et al, Case No. 1016-CV21855, Circuit Court of Jackson County Missouri at Kansas City. Attorney David Schatz, Husch Blackwell, LLP , (816) 329-4707.
April 1, 2011burld
01
Feb2011
Engaged by policyholder’s counsel seeking coverage for construction defect claims. Case involved aspects of Agent Errors & Omissions and Insurance Bad Faith resulting from placement of Commercial General Liability and Products Liability Insurance coverage. Central to the dispute were allegations against the agent of failure to disclose material facts. Sanderson v. JDW Insurance, Cause No. 2009-3145, 120th Judicial District Court, El Paso County, Texas. Attorney Jim Martinez, James A. Martinez, P.L.L.C. (317) 637-0700.
February 1, 2011burld
01
Nov2010
Retained as consultant to evaluate ongoing projects coverage continuity issues relative to termination of a rolling OCIP (Owner Controlled Insurance Program). Consultation included forensic review of premium audit procedures for Commercial General Liability, Completed Operations, Commercial Umbrella, Inland Marine Builders Risk and Workers Compensation. Policyholder Tarrant County College District; Attorney Burch Waldron, Law, Snakard & Gambill, P.C. (817) 878-6319.
November 1, 2010burld
01
Aug2010
Engaged by contractor’s attorney to analyze contractual liability claim denial under Products Liability Insurance. Case involves Agents Errors & Omissions, Surplus Lines, Commercial General Liability, and aspects of Insurance Bad Faith resulting from questionable Certificates of Insurance. Cause No. 2009-65915; High Tech Plumbing v. Colony Insurance Company, et al. In the 127th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas. Attorney Kelly Prather, Greenwood Prather Law Firm, (713) 333-3200.
August 1, 2010burld
01
May2010
Retained by counsel for policyholder seeking coverage under a 1973 ISO Comprehensive General Liability form. Expert affidavit addressed issues involving Commercial General Liability and Products Liability Insurance coverage under Surplus Lines policies. Case also involved Pollution Liability coverage and Reliance Insurance Company liquidation proceedings (No. 269 MD 2001 In The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania). Reliance Insurance Co. v. Raybestos Products, United States District Court, Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis Division, Cause No. IP 97-0027-C-Y/G. Attorney Brett Nelson, Plews Shadley Racher & Braun LLP, (317) 637-0700.
May 1, 2010burld