Tag: Defamation

Duty to Defend

Proof’s in the Pudding: Sexual Misconduct Exclusions Do Not Preclude Coverage for Defamation Claims, Massachusetts Federal District Court Says

A federal district court in Massachusetts determined that Bill Cosby’s insurer has a duty to defend the former entertainment icon in three defamation suits despite potentially applicable policy exclusions because the defamation claims did not necessarily “aris[e] out of” sexual misconduct.

In AIG Property Casualty Co. v. Green, Civil Action No. 15-30111-MGM, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 154881 (D. Mass. Nov. 8, 2016), the court dismissed an insurer’s attempt to obtain a determination that it had no duty to defend Cosby, finding that the underlying …

Continue Reading
Policy Conditions, Considerations, Construction, and Formation

Second Circuit Confirms Standard That Insurer Not Obligated To Defend And Indemnify In $96 Million Defamation Claim

First Advantage Litigation Consulting LLC v. American International Specialty Lines Insurance Co. et al.,
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

First Advantage Litigation Consulting LLC, (First Advantage) brought a declaratory judgment action against its insurers, American International Specialty Lines Insurance Co., Federal Insurance Co. and Zurich American Insurance Co. (collectively, insurers), seeking defense and indemnification in connection with a defamation action commenced by NuWave Investment Corp (NuWave). In 2006, NuWave sued First Advantage for $96 million in claimed damages stemming from allegedly defamatory …

Continue Reading