Articles by Andrew G. Simpson

Judge Upholds $24M Award in Suit by Employee with Social Anxiety Disorder

A federal district court judge in Massachusetts has upheld a $24 million jury award for a woman who sued her employer for retaliation and discrimination because of her social anxiety disorder. The employer, PPD Development, has criticized the outcome handed …

Supreme Court to Hear Free Speech Complaint by NRA Against New York Regulator

The U.S. Supreme Court last Friday agreed to hear an appeal by the National Rifle Association of a case in which it accuses a New York insurance regulator of violating its free speech rights when she urged insurance companies and …

Harvard Lawsuit Says Marsh to Blame for Loss of $15M in Coverage for Admissions Fight

Having lost two bids to recover $15 million from its insurer to cover costs related to its failed defense of its admissions policy, Harvard University is now looking to hold its insurance broker, Marsh, responsible. Harvard’s excess insurer Zurich American …

Courts Find ‘How Many Apartment Units Are There?’ Is an Ambiguous Question

Because its application question about how many apartments were in a New York building was considered ambiguous, an insurer has lost its bid to deny a commercial property insurance claim and rescind the policy. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals …

Mass. Court: Drowsy Driver Can Be Held Liable for Crash if Condition Was Foreseeable

A driver who suffers a sudden medical emergency and crashes into another vehicle may be held liable for the accident even if never diagnosed with the condition or never advised not to drive. If the driver knew or should have …

Filing a Day Late Leaves Insurer Short Under Mississippi’s Statute of Limitations

The Mississippi Supreme Court has ruled that an insurer misunderstood when a three-year statute of limitations begins in dismissing the insurer’s claims relating to a fire on an insured’s property. The high court affirmed that a statute of limitations begins …

N.J. High Court to Hear E-Scooter Rider’s Bid for No-Fault Auto Benefits

David Goyco says he was like a bicyclist when he was injured while riding his low-speed electric scooter and hit by a car. Thus, he contends, he is entitled to personal injury protection (PIP) benefits from his auto insurer, Progressive …

Erie Insurance Appeals Maryland’s Finding that it Engaged in Discriminatory Practices

Erie Insurance Co. is taking its tiff with the Maryland insurance commissioner over the handling of discriminatory practices findings to federal appeals court. The insurer maintains that the Maryland Insurance Administration has not afforded it adequate opportunity to respond to …

Court Tosses $223.8 Million Verdict Against J&J in Talc Cancer Case

An injured worker who collects workers’ compensation in Rhode Island cannot sue his employer in Massachusetts, according to a ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Court. Both states bar any other recovery once an injured worker has received a payment. In …

Insurance Broker in Menendez Case Allegedly Got Senator’s Help With Fraud Charge

The defendants in the corruption case involving U.S. Senator Robert Menendez include a former New Jersey insurance broker who was convicted of premium fraud in 2011 and lost his insurance license. Jose Uribe allegedly got involved with Menendez in his …