Rhode Island Supreme Court News

Heating Oil Leak Covered Because of Ambiguous Pollution Exclusion

The Rhode Island Supreme Court for the first time has found the definition of pollution in a commercial policy ambiguous enough to justify vacating a lower court’s summary judgment in favor of the insurer. The insurer, Arbella Protection Insurance Co., …

Rhode Island Supreme Court Enforces Suit Limitation Provision in Policy

In the past, Rhode Island courts have upheld insurance policy provisions that require insureds to commence legal action against the insurance company within a time period that is less than the legislatively-enacted statute of limitations. See, e.g., National Refrigeration, Inc. …

Rhode Island High Court Establishes Statute of Limitations for UM/UIM Claims

For the most part, the question of which statute of limitations applies (tort or contract) to UM/UIM cases has been resolved throughout most of the states. The majority view is that the contract statute of limitations applies which is triggered …

Rhode Island Doesn’t Have to Pay Lead Paint Legal Costs

The Rhode Island Supreme Court says former lead paint companies that were sued by the state are responsible for paying their own legal expenses. The high court on Friday turned down the appeal of several companies, including Sherwin-Williams Co., NL …

Rhode Island Court Rules on Designated Drivers’ Liability

Rhode Island’s Supreme Court has ruled that designated drivers are not responsible for what their drunken passengers do after giving them rides. Thursday’s ruling involved a 2005 crash in Scituate that killed two people. Authorities say 20-year-old Matthew Milner was …