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.
Category: Property
11
Sep2016
Engaged by defense counsel as their Flood Insurance expert. Case required analysis of NFIP regulations and flood insurance requirements for a loan closing. Dispute resulted from a flood loss when retail agent/carrier had failed to procure a standard NFIP flood insurance policy, triggering lender obligations under its forced-place flood insurance. Attorney Mike Cerulo – Baty, Holm, Numrich & Otto, PC (314) 863-6274. Wise v. HSBC; Case No. 4:15-cv-911 In United States District Court, Eastern District of Missouri Eastern Division.
September 11, 2016burld
29
Jul2016
Retained by policyholder counsel as a Property Insurance Expert to analyze Agents Errors & Omissions and Insurance Bad Faith claims handling issues. Case required analysis of underwriting vs. subsequent denial of a theft claim based on occupancy levels less than vacancy clause requirements. Nayeb v. Travelers, et al; Cause No. 15-05862-442 In The 442nd Judicial District Court Denton County, Texas. Attorney Jeff Atkins, Fell Law Firm (972) 488-8177.
July 29, 2016burld
13
Jul2016
Engaged by counsel for policyholder as their Agent Errors & Omissions and Insurance Bad Faith expert. Case involved analysis of Property and Inland Marine insurance placement issues relative to Livestock mortality for dairy cattle. Dispute arose after claim denial for widespread smothering loss of cattle during a blizzard event. Attorney Brent Hamilton, Brady & Hamilton, LLP (806) 771-1850. CBJ v. Davis; Case 2:16-cv-00109-J In The United States District Court For The Northern District Of Texas, Amarillo Division.
July 13, 2016burld
13
May2016
Engaged by policyholder counsel to analyze Agent Errors & Omissions issues regarding failure to procure available NFIP flood insurance. Case involved client request for flood insurance followed by agent initially providing faulty Elevation Certificate/Flood Zone information, and later failing to follow agency procedures regarding offering flood insurance. After an epic flood virtually totaled the client’s bed & breakfast facilities, the Commercial Property carrier denied the claim based on the flood exclusion. Attorney Molly Bowen, Mostyn Law, (832) 964-4830. Chimney Valley Lodge v. Newmark Insurance Services, et al. Cause No. CV08077: 2016EF2833 In the District Court of Blanco County, Texas, 33rd Judicial District.
May 13, 2016Don Hirsch
22
Apr2016
Engaged by policyholder counsel as their designated expert for Agents Errors & Omissions and Insurance Bad Faith to evaluate issues regarding failure to procure proper insurance coverage. Case involved claim denial of a large wood kiln fire loss due to improperly structured Property. Boiler & Machinery and Business Income Insurance. Attorney Brady Rife, McNeeley Stephenson Attorneys (317) 825-5110. Kustom Kilns v. Nuthak, In Shelby County Superior Court I, State of Indiana, Cause No. 73D01-1502-CT-5.
April 22, 2016Don Hirsch
03
Dec2015
Engaged by defense counsel as their Flood Insurance expert. Case required analysis of NFIP regulations and flood insurance rating for 23 lots deemed to be in FIRM Zone AE following FEMA flood zone map revisions. Claim included allegations by homebuilder of lost property values due to Inverse Condemnation based on FEMA’s revised Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Attorney Mike Shaunessy – McGinnis Lochridge & Kilgore, LLP (512) 495-6061. Woodlake v. Guadalupe County; Cause No. 11-1270-CV In The District Court Of Guadalupe County, Texas, 25th Judicial District.
December 3, 2015Don Hirsch
08
May2015
Engaged by agent’s defense counsel as their designated expert for Agents Errors & Omissions and Insurance Bad Faith. Case involved Property and Business Income Insurance written on a Surplus Lines basis. Dispute resulted from hailstorm claims adjusted on a Per Location/Per Occurrence Wind and Hail deductibles basis. Hipoint v. Pathfinder, et al, Case No. Case No.5: 13-cv-687-D In The United States District Court For The Western District of Oklahoma. Attorney Jim Secrest, Secrest Hill Butler & Secrest, PC (918) 494-5905
May 8, 2015burld
23
Jan2015
Engaged by plaintiff counsel to evaluate Agents Errors & Omissions and Bad Faith issues from a Commercial Property policy cancellation. Litigation resulted from a premium finance company failing to notify the mortgagee of policy cancelation for nonpayment, followed by a total windstorm loss to an apartment complex. Case required analysis of insurance industry standards for completing ACORD form applications and Certificates of Insurance. Attorney Grady Terrill, Craig, Terrill, Hale, & Grantham, L.L.P. (806) 744-3232. First Bank & Trust v. Guide One & AREA Insurance; Cause No. 2013-508,134 In The 237th District Court of Lubbock County, Texas.
January 23, 2015burld
10
Nov2014
Engaged by counsel defending allegations of Agents Errors & Omissions for “failure to procure”. The case required evaluation of Homeowners insurance underwriting standards for Replacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value policies. Attorney Samantha Horner (816) 979-1522, Case Linden P.C. Blow v. Fairchild Insurance Services, Case No. 14CV31 In The District Court of Pottawatomie County, Kansas.
November 10, 2014burld