East Coast CM Report of Recent Decisions – 2015 Volume 1
Articles in this report
Court Of Appeals Holds That Insured Has Burden Of Proof Regarding Exception To Policy Exclusion
… And That Ensuing Loss Provision Does Not Trump Unambiguous Policy Exclusion
In Platek v. Town of Hamburg, 2015 LEXIS 252, the New York Court of Appeals reversed prior rulings by the Supreme Court and the Appellate Division which essentially held that the “sudden and accidental” exception to the “water loss exclusion” contained in a homeowners policy issued by Allstate Indemnity Company was applicable.
New Jersey Supreme Court Holds That Employers May Offer Evidence Of Anti-Harassment Policy As An Affirmative Defense To Sexual Harassment Claims
The New Jersey Supreme Court held that an employer may offer evidence of the company’s anti-harassment policies and programs as an “affirmative defense” to an employee’s claims of negligence or vicarious liability brought under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD).
New York Appellate Division Affirms That An Insured’s Failure To Comply With An Unambiguous Policy Warranty Is A Material Breach
The Appellate Division, Second Department, recently affirmed that: a provision in the “special conditions” section of an insurance policy that required a fully operational security system met the definition of a warranty pursuant to New York Insurance Law § 3106(a)…
New York’s Appellate Division Broadens A First-Party Policy’s Pollution Exclusion
In Broome County v. The Travelers Indem. Co., 2015 NY Slip Opp 01697 (3d Dep’t 2015), the Third Department broadened the scope of a defendant insurer’s pollution exclusion.
No Coverage For Fire Loss When Application For Dwelling Insurance Misrepresented That Premises Would Be Owner-Occupied
In Morales v. Castlepoint Insurance Company, 2015 NY Slip Op 01618 (2d Dep’t Feb. 25, 2015), the Appellate Division, Second Department, reversed an order from the trial court denying the insurer defendant’s motion for summary judgment.
Private: Robert A. Stern