Blog & Updates
Out of Historic 2020 Wildfires, California and Oregon Adopt New Laws, Regulatory Guidance Impacting Insurers
Over the past several weeks, the fallout from 2020’s historic wildfire season on the West Coast continues to impact the insurance industry and the regulatory environment which insurers face. More than 6.2 million acres burned across Washington, Oregon, and California...
COVID-19 Litigation Update
As we have recently reported, the clear trend in the United States Courts is towards finding that the typical Business Interruption (BI) coverages in U.S. commercial property policies will not be triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus far, the majority of the...
Insurers Face Increased Pressure to Expedite Wildfire Claims Due to Notice from Insurance Commissioner
While we all continue to deal with the effects and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the western part of our country is now experiencing almost unprecedented wildfires. Over the last two weeks, the west coast has been devastated by wildfires with more than 4.7...
Remembering Victims and Survivors
On the anniversary of September 11, 2001, we at Lether Law Group stand united in remembering the victims and survivors of the attacks on New York and Washington, D.C. In light of those events, and the challenges still present today, we especially give thanks for our...
COVID-19 Business Interruption Case Updates from Across the Country
The rapid spread of COVID-19 throughout the United States and resulting governmental shut-down orders have sparked a large increase in business interruption claims and subsequent litigation. While “direct physical loss” and “necessary suspension” policy language have...
JPML Denies Move to Create MDL for COVID-19 Business Interruption Lawsuits
Earlier today, the Panel for Multi-District Litigation issued an Order denying consolidation of hundreds business interruption coverage lawsuits related to COVID-19. The Panel held that the allegedly common issues supporting consolidation, “share only a superficial...
Commercial Trucking and MCS-90 Issues in the COVID Age
One of the effects of the COVID pandemic has been an increase in the use of commercial trucking as a primary means of transportation of goods and services throughout the United States. Internet retailers in particular have seen a tremendous surge in sales...
Oregon Supreme Court Strikes Down $500,000 Non-Economic Damages Cap for Personal Injury Claims as Unconstitutional
On July 9, 2020, the Oregon Supreme Court issued its Opinion in Busch v. McInnis Waste Sys., Inc., Case No. SC S066098. Five of the seven justices representing the majority held that the $500,000 cap on non-economic damages for personal injury claims was...
Washington Insurance Commissioner Releases New Guidance to Businesses in Light of Recent Events
On June 3, 2020, Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kriedler advised Washington State business owners to contact their insurance providers as soon as possible if they have experienced loss or damage in association with recent occurrences of looting and vandalism...