Articles by Andrew G. Simpson

Pa. Supreme Ct. Upholds Punitive Damage Award Against Insurance Agency for Poaching from Competitor

A jury’s $2.8 million punitive damage award against an insurance agency and broker that tried to poach a competitor’s staff and book of business was not excessive even though it was more than 10 times the total amount of compensatory …

Employee with Overactive Bladder Sues State Farm for Discrimination, Retaliation

A Georgia woman who was employed by State Farm Automobile Insurance Co. for 20 years is suing the insurer alleging she was discriminated and retaliated against because of her bladder disability. The employee, Elisa Brown, was diagnosed with overactive bladder …

Agent’s Failure to Disclose Dog Comes Back to Bite Homeowner

A Connecticut homeowner who is being sued by a woman who alleges his dog bit her in the face is not entitled to insurance coverage because his home insurance application, which was completed by his insurance agent, indicated he did …

Workers’ Compensation Undercuts Employer Liability Exclusion, U.S. Appeals Court Rules

Since workers’ compensation shields an employer from liability, an insurer may not be able to rely on an employer liability exclusion in a commercial general liability policy to avoid claims. That’s the potentially costly message a federal appeals court has …

Massachusetts High Court Affirms Limit on Wrongful Death Suits in Tobacco Ruling

If a person’s right to bring a personal injury lawsuit has expired by the time of his or her death, the person’s estate is barred from bringing a wrongful death suit in Massachusetts for the benefit of the beneficiaries. The …

‘Ongoing Storm Rule’ Clears Costco of Liability for Customer’s Fall While Snow Falling

A New Jersey business is not liable for injuries suffered by a customer who falls in its snow-covered parking lot in the middle of a snowstorm, before the lot can be cleared. A Costco Wholesale store in North Plainfield, and …

Conn. Supreme Ct. Rejects Work Comp Claim by Part-Time Firefighter

A firefighter must be shown to have worked 20 or more hours a week to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits under state law, the Connecticut Supreme Court has ruled in reversing an appeals court and state workers’ compensation officials. …

Injured Workers Pharmacy to Pay $10M for Improper Handling of ‘Red Flag’ Prescriptions

Andover, Massachusetts-based Injured Workers Pharmacy (IWP) has agreed to pay $10 million to resolve allegations that it violated the Controlled Substances Act by improperly filling prescriptions for controlled substances, including opioids, and submitting false claims for payment to the Department …

GEICO to Pay $805K to Settle Overtime Wage Disputes With Claims Adjusters

Insurer GEICO has agreed to pay $805,000 total to settle class action lawsuits by claims adjusters alleging they were entitled to unpaid wages for overtime worked between May 27, 2019 and May 27, 2022. The settlement affects 91 plaintiffs involved …

Connecticut High Court Nixes Workers’ Comp for Firefighter with Heart Condition

A firefighter must be shown to have worked 20 or more hours a week to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits under state law, the Connecticut Supreme Court has ruled in reversing an appeals court and state workers’ compensation officials. …