Declarations

Drive-By Denial

“While this was an unfortunate incident, the expansion of coverage beyond what is allowed for under the contract would be harmful for consumers.”

—Richard Stokes, regional manager and counsel for the Property Casualty Insurers Association, commenting on a New Jersey Supreme Court decision that upheld the denial of coverage for a woman injured during a drive-by shooting. The plaintiff in the case, who was insured by Mercury Insurance Group, was walking toward her car from a grocery store when she was injured during the random shooting. The court ruled that uninsured motorist coverage did not cover the woman.

Pa. Pyro Plague Over

“It’s just evil—pure evil—as far as I can see, anybody who would want to hurt somebody like that.”

—Kurt Schenk, city councilman in Coatesville, Pa., commenting on the arrest of two alleged arsonists responsible for over 40 arsons in the area since 2007 – one of which killed an 83-year-old woman. Roger Leon Barlow Jr., 19, and Mark Gilliam, 20, were arrested and charged with arson last month in connection with the blazes. Officials described Barlow, the alleged mastermind of arson spree, as a pyromaniac who liked to watch things burn.

Vicious-Chimp Suit

“There’s one helluva lawsuit against the owner. The reasonableness of having a 200-pound wild animal is just nonexistent. It’s not unforeseeable that such an animal could do what this animal has done.”

—Connecticut Attorney William Palmieri, commenting on the case of a Stamford, Connecticut woman whose 200-pound, pet chimpanzee “Travis,” mauled her friend. The woman sustained substantial injuries from the attack, and now several residents have come forward to say they, too, have been bitten or hurt by the animal over the years.

Mass. House Explosion

“It looked like a twister had gone through there.”

—Selectman William Meehan of Somerset, Mass., commenting on a house explosion that killed a 62-year-old Rose Marie Rebello and her dog. Investigators believe the explosion was caused by a natural gas leak.

Guns Downed

“While we have no reason to believe that the condition affects every pistol produced during the designated period, we have chosen in the interest of safety to replace the hammer block in every pistol that is returned in order to make certain that each firearm is functioning in a safe, reliable and proper fashion.”

—A regulatory filing by Springfield, Mass.-based gun maker Smith & Wesson, which is recalling several models of handguns after discovering some can accidentally discharge.