Articles by Andrew G. Simpson

Medical Marijuana Law Does Not Impair Connecticut Employers’ Right to Drug-Free Workplace

A Connecticut employer has the right to terminate an employee who is impaired by medical marijuana in the workplace. The Connecticut Appellate Court on March 19 upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit brought against a nonprofit pre-school by a teaching …

Internet Firms Must Face Defective Product Liability Suit Over Buffalo Mass Shooting

A New York state judge has allowed a case seeking to hold social media companies liable in the tragic mass killing at a Buffalo supermarket in 2022 to go forward on grounds of product liability. Erie County Supreme Court Judge …

Bankruptcy Court Approves New Jersey Diocese’s $87.5M Plan for Abuse Victims

Almost three-and-one-half years after the Catholic Diocese of Camden, New Jersey filed for bankruptcy citing financial effects from the pandemic and sexual abuse settlements, its Chapter 11 reorganization plan has been approved. The final plan, the ninth amended proposal, establishes …

Virginia Governor Faces Decision on Bad Faith Insurance Claims Bill Opposed by Auto Insurers

Property/casualty insurers are urging Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin to veto a “bad faith” insurance claims measure that they contend will “open the floodgates of litigation against insurance companies” and raise motor vehicle insurance premiums for consumers and businesses in the …

Towers Watson Again Denied Coverage for $90M Settlements Over 2016 Willis Merger

Towers Watson has been hit with another roadblock on its long and winding road to reach coverage for $90 million in settlements of two lawsuits related to its merger with broker Willis in 2016. A Virginia federal district judge in …

Connecticut Property Owners Sue Kimberly-Clark Over Alleged PFAS Contamination

Some of manufacturer Kimberly-Clark Corp.’s neighbors in New Milford, Connecticut believe the paper goods manufacturer has contaminated their soil and drinking water with PFAS chemicals. Three of them have filed a proposed class action claiming that contamination from the manufacturer’s …

Uber Sues Drivers’ Insurer Alleging Its Claims Practices Have Fueled Tort Litigation

Uber Technologies last Friday sued its drivers’ auto insurer for defense and indemnification regarding multiple lawsuits that are seeking to hold Uber vicariously liable for accidents involving some of its drivers in New York. Uber’s complaint cites 23 lawsuits that …

Fire Mitigation Industry Terror: NYC Gang Member Convicted of Extortion, Racketeering

A gang member who ran a fire restoration company has been convicted of using violence, threats of violence, and extortion to terrorize and dominate the fire restoration industry in New York City. After presiding over a two-week bench trial in …

New York’s High Court Backs Insurer’s Denial of COVID-19 Business Interruption Claim

New York state’s highest court has affirmed that there must be direct physical loss or damage, not just presence of a virus, to trigger coverage under a commercial property policy for COVID-19 business interruption losses. The Court of Appeals upheld …

Judge Tosses Suit by Estate of Employee Killed in Crash After Mandatory Wine Tasting

A Connecticut judge has tossed a lawsuit by the estate of a woman who was killed in a crash while driving intoxicated following a mandatory wine tasting at the restaurant that employed her. The estate brought claims of common law …