On June 6, 2024, the Supreme Court issued its opinion in Truck Insurance Exchange v. Kaiser Gypsum Co., No. 22-1079, conferring broad standing to debtors’ pre-bankruptcy liability insurers to appear and be heard in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. The ruling eliminates the “insurance neutrality” doctrine that previously constrained the participation of insurers in Chapter 11, greatly expanding insurers’ capacity to influence the reorganization process.Continue Reading Shifting Gears on Insurer Participation in Chapter 11 Proceedings: U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Longstanding “Insurance Neutrality” Doctrine
Products Liability Coverage
Milk Coverage for All Its Worth While the “Steaks” Are High: An Insurance Primer on Coverage for the H5N1 Bird Flu Outbreak
Dairy is the latest round of kitchen staples to suffer from viral diagnoses. In a first, the H5N1 virus, commonly referred to as the bird flu, is rapidly spreading through US cattle herds.[1] The virus has already been detected in pasteurized milk sitting on grocery store shelves.[2] The World Health Organization labeled the outbreak an animal pandemic, but fears of animal to human transmission are rising.[3] To prepare for the potential financial impact of this looming outbreak, livestock owners and businesses should consider their insurance policies as possible sources of recovery.Continue Reading Milk Coverage for All Its Worth While the “Steaks” Are High: An Insurance Primer on Coverage for the H5N1 Bird Flu Outbreak
PFAS Liability and Insurance: Potential Avenues to Mitigate Exposure for PFAS Risks through Insurance
Manufacturers face an ever increasing risk of liability exposure for pollution caused by polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as “PFAS.” In early June this year, it was reported that 3M, as have other large chemical manufacturers, settled pending litigation involving PFAS-contamination in U.S. cities for an estimated $10 billion and aimed to resolve allegations that 3M polluted bodies of water in several U.S. cities.[1] This reported settlement comes after another recent $1.19 billion settlement related to the contamination of water systems.[2] Moreover, environmental regulators—including the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) under the Biden Administration—have made PFAS a priority in recent years.[3]Continue Reading PFAS Liability and Insurance: Potential Avenues to Mitigate Exposure for PFAS Risks through Insurance
Another Judicial Reminder for Policyholders to Carefully Review Policy Language and Provide Timely Notice of a “Claim”
Insurance policies invariably require insureds to submit timely written notice of a “Claim” made by third parties to obtain coverage from the insurer. A recent decision from the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York is yet another reminder that insureds need to closely analyze what constitutes a “Claim” under their policies in order to comply with the timely notice requirement. Continue Reading Another Judicial Reminder for Policyholders to Carefully Review Policy Language and Provide Timely Notice of a “Claim”