Articles by Andrew G. Simpson

Simpson is a freelance writer and editor. He retired as Chief Content Officer for Wells Media Group in July, 2022 after 18 years with the company.

Agent’s Failure to Disclose Dog Comes Back to Bite Homeowner

A Connecticut homeowner who is being sued by a woman who alleges his dog bit her in the face is not entitled to insurance coverage because his home insurance application, which was completed by his insurance agent, indicated he did …

Workers’ Compensation Undercuts Employer Liability Exclusion, U.S. Appeals Court Rules

Since workers’ compensation shields an employer from liability, an insurer may not be able to rely on an employer liability exclusion in a commercial general liability policy to avoid claims. That’s the potentially costly message a federal appeals court has …

Setting Range for Emotional Damage Awards Is Not Its Job, Says Connecticut High Court

It is up to the Connecticut legislature, not courts, to set any minimum or maximum controls on damages for emotional stress claims, the Connecticut Supreme Court held in a ruling in which it refused to second-guess a $15,000 award in …

Car Dealer Shielded From Liability in ‘Courtesy’ Car Accident

Massachusetts car dealerships that provide customers with a courtesy vehicle to use while their car is being repaired are protected by federal law from liability should the courtesy car be in an accident, despite a state law that presumes the …

Connecticut High Court Nixes Workers’ Comp for Firefighter With Heart Condition

A firefighter must be shown to have worked 20 or more hours a week to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits under state law, the Connecticut Supreme Court has ruled in reversing an appeals court and state workers’ compensation officials. …

Massachusetts Judge Rejects Auto Insurance Class Actions Over Diminished Value

A judge in Massachusetts has denied class certifications for claimants seeking payments from two insurers for the lost resale value of their motor vehicles that were damaged in accidents and then repaired. Suffolk County Superior Court Justice Kenneth W. Salinger …

Federal Regulator Throws Wrench Into Massachusetts Right-to-Repair Plans

A right-to-repair motor vehicle law in Massachusetts that was passed by voters two years ago but been held up in court has hit what could be a major roadblock. A federal regulator says car manufacturers cannot obey the law, which …

Judge Gives Erie Insurance, Maryland Regulator 60 Days to Resolve Rift Over Bias, Document Disclosure

A judge has given Erie Insurance and the Maryland insurance regulator 60 days to settle their differences related to allegations that the insurer unfairly discriminated against Black insurance agents in the Baltimore area and that the regulator acted arbitrarily and …

Insurer Avoids Dog Bite Claim Brought by Homeowner Selling Firearms Out of Garage

Nationwide General Insurance has avoided payment of a dog bite claim filed by a homeowner it insured who ran a firearms business out of his garage. A federal district court for Alabama ruled that the business exclusions in all three …

New York Lawmakers Again Pass Wrongful Death Damages Bill. Is Another Veto in Store?

New York lawmakers have again overwhelmingly passed legislation to overhaul the state’s 1847 law that governs damages that can be awarded in wrongful death cases. But it’s unclear whether the latest version of the Grieving Families Act will pass muster …