In a recent decision, a federal judge has ruled that Northwestern Hospital is permitted to pursue equitable relief in its dispute with Blue Cross Blue Shield Illinois (BCBS). This ruling reflects an ongoing division among courts within the district regarding the viability of quantum meruit claims against third-party beneficiaries involved in BCBS Illinois contracts. The…
Brokerage firm Howden has strategically enhanced its leadership team by appointing a new legal chief, Louisa Chalk, formerly of Alleghany Corporation. This significant leadership transition underscores Howden’s commitment to bolstering its legal capabilities amid the evolving landscape of international brokerage operations. The move is indicative of the increasing trend of brokerage firms strengthening their internal…
A coalition of 14 state attorneys general along with Pennsylvania’s governor has initiated a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s revisions to the federal childhood immunization schedule. The legal action, lodged in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, targets Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Acting Centers…
The legal landscape at Accelerant has experienced a notable shift with the appointment of a former reinsurance securities counsel as General Counsel. Accelerant, a prominent player in the insurance and risk management market, has strategically chosen this new legal leader to navigate the complexities of insurance underwriting and securities. The decision to appoint someone with…
The proliferation of artificial intelligence is reshaping industries at a remarkable pace, but recent incidents involving AI hallucinations have raised critical concerns about accuracy and reliability. These hallucinations, where AI models generate incorrect or misleading information, are becoming particularly problematic in legal contexts. As legal professionals increasingly rely on AI for drafting documents, conducting research,…
In a recent legal development, Kopka Pinkus Dolin PC, an insurance defense firm based in Indiana, has filed a lawsuit against Quintairos Prieto Wood & Boyer PA. The case centers around allegations that a former employee facilitated a “mass exodus” of attorneys from Kopka Pinkus, leading to the closure of one of its offices. This…
In an era of rising litigation costs, insurers are increasingly scrutinizing the strategies employed by plaintiff lawyers. Richard C. Ives, a senior vice president at Travelers, recently highlighted this concern, emphasizing that accommodating excessive demands only exacerbates the issue. “If we buy into the plaintiff narrative, if we fold and pay more than what is…
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has proposed a plan aimed at reducing the state’s notably high auto insurance rates. This initiative seeks to balance consumer protection with fiscal efficiency by addressing underlying cost drivers in the insurance industry. The proposal focuses on reforming the no-fault insurance law that has contributed to inflated premiums across the…
In a significant development for McCarter & English LLP, two insurance entities are urging a Connecticut Superior Court judge to proceed with a $22.3 million professional negligence lawsuit against the firm. Despite allegations of document production delays, which McCarter & English argues should dismiss the case, the insurers insist such delays are not a sufficient…
In a notable legal decision, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Co. has been ordered to pay $88,060 to a lawyer after a federal court in North Carolina determined that the insurer unjustly denied coverage for six surgeries needed to address her lipedema. The case underscores ongoing challenges within the insurance industry regarding coverage for lipedema, a chronic condition…
In a pivotal decision by a Massachusetts federal court, an insurer has been mandated to defend a real estate company embroiled in a copyright infringement suit. The dispute centers on allegations that the firm used an architect’s copyrighted designs in marketing materials for a recently constructed home. This ruling hinges on the interpretation of the…
Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani (GRSM), a prominent national firm known for its comprehensive legal expertise, has strategically expanded its footprint in Nevada by adding five seasoned litigation partners to its offices in Las Vegas and Reno. This move aligns with the firm’s ongoing growth strategy in key markets across the United States. The new partners…
United Healthcare, one of the largest health insurers in the United States, has been ordered to cover over $90,000 in claims related to liposuction procedures after a court ruling. This decision underscores the ongoing complexities in insurance coverage for cosmetic procedures that might be classified as medically necessary under specific circumstances. The case involved a…
The question of whether legal malpractice claims can be assigned to third parties continues to be a contentious issue in the U.S. legal landscape. The divergent approaches of state courts have created a complex legal environment for practitioners and insurers alike. In the majority of jurisdictions, the assignment of legal malpractice claims is prohibited on…
In recent years, several evolving litigation trends have captured the attention of legal professionals and corporate entities alike, raising questions about regulatory compliance and corporate responsibility. Three key areas rising to prominence involve worker misclassification, complex lending schemes, and the safeguarding of personal data. Worker misclassification lawsuits are proliferating, particularly with delivery drivers accusing companies…
In a recent legal development, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has been ordered to pay $188,000 in attorney fees and revise its Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) practices. This comes after a court ruling found that the agency violated FOIA in its handling of information requests related to so-called “pause letters” concerning crypto banking….
This past week, the legal landscape in London has been marked by notable developments in various high-profile cases. Among these, a unit of Johnson & Johnson has initiated a lawsuit against the U.S. government concerning a patent dispute. The specifics of the case have yet to be fully disclosed, but it joins a growing number…
In London this past week, several high-profile legal battles caught the attention of the legal community. Among the most notable cases was a patent dispute where a unit of Johnson & Johnson initiated litigation against the U.S. government. This case adds to the ongoing saga of patent-related issues faced by major pharmaceutical companies, reflecting the…
In a move that underscores the complexities of lengthy litigation, McCarter & English LLP has petitioned a Connecticut Superior Court judge to dismiss a $22.3 million malpractice lawsuit lodged against them by two beleaguered insurance companies. The law firm has argued that the insurers have impeded the legal process by failing to produce crucial documents…
An Illinois federal judge has ruled that a California hospital may proceed with its claim for equitable relief in a dispute over out-of-network medical payments against a Blue Cross Blue Shield insurer. This decision allows the hospital to seek remedies beyond monetary damages, such as specific performance or injunctions, in its ongoing litigation. The case…
As the legal landscape surrounding insurance claims continues to evolve, plaintiffs may increasingly pivot towards state laws to pursue their cases, particularly in disputes involving arbitration awards. Michael Gottlieb of Gottlieb & Greenspan, representing numerous medical provider plaintiffs, highlighted this trend by noting that his firm frequently invokes state law causes of action. He asserts…
In a recent hearing, Georgia’s Supreme Court demonstrated hesitancy regarding the possibility of revisiting a pivotal ruling that nullified the use of caps on medical malpractice damages on constitutional grounds. This reluctance comes in the wake of discussions aiming to reconsider the 2008 decision, which has been influential in shaping the state’s legal landscape around…
In a recent development that has caught the attention of legal professionals within the insurance sector, a new court ruling could potentially create friction among insurers. The decision involves responsibilities of primary carriers and their obligations, with potential implications that may cause unease among primary insurers. Attorney G. Jeffrey Vernis of Vernis & Bowling in…
Philadelphia-based law firm Cozen O’Connor has announced a strategic expansion of its insurance practice by bringing on a team from Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath. This significant move comes as Cozen seeks to bolster its capabilities in offering comprehensive insurance services to its clients. The new team consists of distinguished lawyers known for their expertise…
Kaufman Dolowich, a national law firm, has appointed Kristen Swift as the managing partner of its Wilmington, Delaware office. Swift, who joined the firm in February 2024, previously co-managed the Delaware office of a regional law firm, where she developed the firm’s real estate practice. She has been instrumental in establishing and expanding Kaufman Dolowich’s…