Professional Liability Insurance
Finding that Insurer's Lawyer Had Improper Contact with Jurors, Court Orders New Trial in Medical Malpractice Action
A trial court in New York has ordered a new trial of a medical malpractice action following a defense verdict after the trial court found that an insurance carrier's lawyer had improper contact with the jury - even though the lawyer did not represent a party in the case. Read More

Commercial Lines
Where Insured in Dramshop Case is Defended by Illinois Insurance Guaranty Fund, Reduction for "Other Insurance" Applies Against Defendant's Maximum Statutory Liability, Illinois Top Court Rules
The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled, in a Dramshop Act case where a bar owner was defended by the Illinois Insurance Guaranty Fund, the reduction for "other insurance" recoveries under Section 546(a) of the Illinois Insurance Code applied against the bar owner's maximum statutory liability and not against the jury's verdict. Read More

Homeowners Insurance
Arkansas Supreme: Insurer May Not Depreciate Costs of Labor When Determining "Actual Cash Value" Where Term Is Not Defined in the Policy
The Arkansas Supreme Court, answering a question of law certified by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, has ruled that an insurer in determining the "actual cash value" of a covered loss under an indemnity insurance policy may not depreciate the costs of labor when the term ":actual cash value" is not defined in the policy. Read More

Insurance Fraud
Mississippi Supreme Court Upholds Insurance Fraud Conviction Involving Homeowners Policy that Provided $1,000 in Medical Benefits
The Mississippi Supreme Court has upheld a conviction for insurance fraud under a homeowners policy, finding that because the policy provided for $1,000 in medical benefits, it fell within the statutory definition of insurance plan. Read More