Thomas S. Schaufelberger
Thomas S. Schaufelberger
Primary Office
Experience

Insurance Coverage Disputes

  • Murray v. Greenwich Insurance Company, 533 F. 3d 644 (8th Cir.). Reversed District Court and ruled in favor of professional liability insurer, on defense and indemnity, based upon a misuse-of-funds exclusion. Court found "arising out of" language of exclusion sufficient to bar coverage for all counts of complaint irrespective of theories pled.
  • Swafford Settlement Services, Inc. v. Title Industry Assurance Co., No. 07-0094-KD-C (S.D. Ala.). Judgment for settlement services professional liability insurer as to several RESPA-based class action lawsuits. Untimely reporting and a failure to describe overcharging practices on various renewal applications found to bar coverage.
  • French v. Assurance Co. of Am., 448 F.3d 693 (4th Cir.). Fourth Circuit held that despite the fact defective exterior cladding was installed by a subcontractor of insured, insurer would not owe coverage for the cost of replacing the cladding itself.
  • St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co. v. Am Int'l. Specialty Lines Ins. Co., 365 F.3d. 363 (4th Cir.). In a case of first impression the Fourth Circuit held that an indemnity agreement between insureds would override traditional "other insurance" considerations with respect to dual lines of insurance covering the same parties for the same claim.
  • Air Line Pilots Assn v. Twin City Fire Ins. Co., 803 A.2d. 1001 (D.C. App). Judgment awarded to insurer based on finding that personal injury coverage for "discrimination or humiliation" is not applicable to emotional distress claims.
  • Hyde v. Fid. & Deposit Co. of Md., 23 F.Supp. 2d 728 (Md.). Judgment for directors and officers liability insurer on a claim by directors for fees incurred in connection with an FDIC investigation of financial institution. Court ruled that absence of a claim or civil legal action barred coverage, as did application of "insured versus insured" exclusion.
  • Del Paint Corp. v. Verlan Ltd., No. Civ. 94-82-A (W.D. Okla.). Judgment on behalf of insurer regarding coverage for CERCLA claim involving the Hardage and Mosely Road landfills in Oklahoma City. Judgment awarded on basis that a "sudden or accidental" pollution exclusion barred coverage as a matter of law.
  • Schneider v. Continental Cas. Co., 989 F.2d 728 (4th Cir.). Reversing trial court, panel held that coverage under an architects and engineers professional liability policy was barred by an asbestos exclusion. Insured had initially also sought recovery under bad faith and antitrust theories.
  • First Savings Bank, FSB v. American Casualty Co. of Reading, Pa., No. 92-1320, 1993 U.S. App. LEXIS 2049 (4th Cir.). Affirming jury verdict, the panel ruled in favor of bonding company on the ground that bank failed to timely provide notice of loss under financial institution bond.
  • Finci v. American Cas. Co. of Reading, Pa., 323 Md. 358, 593 A.2d 1069. Maryland's highest court became the first appellate court in the country to uphold a regulatory exclusion in a directors and officers liability policy as to claims by federal or state bank regulatory authorities.