Ethics and the Reservation of Rights
Post 4867
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/covenant-good-faith-ethical-doctrine-barry-zalma-esq-cfe-mvcnf/
September 5, 2024
Posted on September 5, 2024 by Barry Zalma
See the full video at and at https://youtu.be/yhR2vLQ4vAc
An insurer that reserves its rights under a policy of An insurer that reserves its rights under a policy of insurance will usually raise a request by the insured for independent counsel. However, unless the reservation actually raises the need for the application of the ethical duty of an attorney to avoid representing conflicting interests, there is no obligation to retain independent counsel. If that duty exists independent counsel is required. If there is no conflict the insurer may assert its right to control the defense of the insured with counsel of its choice.
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
In Federal Insurance Company v. MBL, Inc., 219 Cal.App.4th 29, after soil and groundwater ...
Counterclaim Seeking Payment of its Fraudulent Bills Fails
Post number 5297
Read the full article at https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/statutory-right-defraud-insurer-barry-zalma-esq-cfe-03c3e, see the video at and at and at https://zalma.com/blog plus more than 5250 posts.
Fraudsters Attempt to Use Statute to Force Payment Fails
In Connecticut General Life Insurance Co. et al. v. East Coast Advanced Plastic Surgery, LLC, No. 25 Civ. 1686 (PAE), United States District Court, S.D. New York (February 24, 2026) a dispute between Connecticut General Life Insurance Company and its subsidiary Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (collectively, "Cigna" ) and East Coast Advanced Plastic Surgery, LLC ("ECAPS" ), a New Jersey-based medical practice specializing in post-mastectomy breast reconstruction.
Cigna alleged that ECAPS engaged in fraudulent billing practices, resulting in excessive payments for services rendered ...
Supreme Court of Alabama Grants a Rare Request for Mandate
Read the full article at https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/limitation-defeats-suit-against-insurer-barry-zalma-esq-cfe-eychc, see the video at and at and at https://zalma.com/blog plus more than 5250 posts.
Statute of Limitations Demands Summary Judgment for Insurer
Post number 5296
In Ex parte Alfa Mutual Insurance Company and Jeffery Dimoff, In re Kinsman Investments, LLC v. Alfa Mutual Insurance Company and Jeffery Dimoff, No. SC-2025-0478, Supreme Court of Alabama (February 27, 2026) a rare Petition for Writ of Mandamus was granted and the trial court was ordered to enter summary judgment on behalf of Alfa.
Facts
Kinsman Investments, LLC (“Kinsman”) owned an apartment complex in Mobile, Alabama, which suffered significant damage from Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. At the time, the property was insured by Alfa Mutual Insurance Company (“Alfa”). Jeffery...
Claims File Created During the Pendency of a Lawsuit is Discoverable Regardless of Privilege
Read the full article at https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/production-claims-file-required-regardless-privilege-barry-ehroc, see the video at and at and https://zalma.com/blog plus more than 5250 posts.
In Melissa Eddy, and Alexis Eddy v. Farmers Property Casualty Insurance Company, f.k.a. Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company, APPEAL NO. C-230298, Court of Appeals of Ohio, First District, Hamilton County, 239 N.E.3d 1003, 239 N.E.3d 1000, 2024-Ohio-1047 (March 22, 2024) ruled on discovery issues with regards to the privileges asserted by Farmers.
Facts
In February 2020, Melissa Eddy was injured in a car accident while her husband, Alexis Eddy, was driving. The accident was caused by another driver, Pamela Shooner. Melissa sustained neck injuries that required surgery. At the time, the Eddys held an ...
Contract Breaches that Allow Multiple Different Grounds to Make a Policy Void
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Posted on February 24, 2026 by Barry Zalma
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If an insured breaches one or more material warranties and increases the risk covered by the policy, the contract may be voided by the insurer, depending on the jurisdiction. It is, therefore, essential that every claims investigation include efforts to establish compliance with every warranty.
In Cummings v. Fire Insurance Exchange, 292 Cal. App. 3d 1407, 249 Cal. Rptr. 568 (1988), the Court of Appeal ...
Passover for Americans
Posted on February 19, 2026 by Barry Zalma
“The Passover Seder For Americans”
For more than 3,000 years Jewish fathers have told the story of the Exodus of the enslaved Jews from Egypt. Telling the story has been required of all Jewish fathers. Americans, who have lived in North America for more than 300 years have become Americans and many have lost the ability to read, write and understand the Hebrew language in which the story of Passover was first told in the Torah. Passover is one of the many holidays Jewish People celebrate to help them remember the importance of G_d in their lives. We see the animals, the oceans, the rivers, the mountains, the rain, sun, the planets, the stars, and the people and wonder how did all these wonderful things come into being. Jews believe the force we call G_d created the entire universe and everything in it. Jews feel G_d is all seeing and knowing and although we can’t see Him, He is everywhere and in everyone.We understand...
Passover for Americans
Posted on February 19, 2026 by Barry Zalma
Read the full article at https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/passover-americans-barry-zalma-esq-cfe-5vgkc.
“The Passover Seder For Americans”
For more than 3,000 years Jewish fathers have told the story of the Exodus of the enslaved Jews from Egypt. Telling the story has been required of all Jewish fathers. Americans, who have lived in North America for more than 300 years have become Americans and many have lostthe ability to read, write and understand the Hebrew language in which the story of Passover was first told in the Torah.
Passover is one of the many holidays Jewish People celebrate to help them remember the importance of G_d in their lives. We see the animals, the oceans, the rivers, the mountains, the rain, sun, the planets, the stars, and the people and ...
