9th Circuit Court of Appeals News

Nevada Supreme: Insurer Entitled to Reimbursement for Defense Costs if No Coverage Owed

An insurer that paid to defend a policyholder against a lawsuit, but determined later that no coverage was owed, is entitled to reimbursement for its costs, a divided Nevada Supreme Court said. In a 4-3 decision on Thursday, the high …

9th Circuit Questions Ruling that Filed Rate Doctrine Bars Kickback Claims

Nearly a decade after regulators first heard allegations that carriers were paying kickbacks to mortgage servicers who purchased lender-placed insurance policies, a federal appellate court is asking the Washington Supreme Court to help resolve one of the last remaining lawsuits …

9th Circuit Rules Pain May Qualify Longshoreman for Total Disability Benefits

A longshoreman who suffers severe pain may qualify for benefits under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act even if he is physically able to perform his job duties, a federal appellate court ruled. A panel of the 9th Circuit …

Lloyd’s Must Defend Merchant From Privacy Law Suit

Lloyd’s of London must defend a merchant against a lawsuit that accused it of violating a California privacy law by selling information about its customers, a federal appellate court ruled, reversing a lower court. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals …

9th Circuit Affirms Jury’s $54M Award in Suit Against Walmart

A federal appellate court on Monday upheld a district court judgment that requires Walmart to pay $54.6 million in damages plus interest for failing to adequately pay long-haul truck drivers for time spent during layovers, rest breaks and during inspections …

9th Circuit Finds Carrier Not Liable to Defend in Sexual Abuse Case

A federal appellate court reversed a ruling that would have forced a homeowner’s insurer to pay up to $300,000 in damages to a woman who had been sexually abused by its policyholder, despite exclusions in the policy for intentional acts. …