Tag Archives: Gregory J. Johnson

Minnesota CGL: Clean Up Costs Arising From Construction Operations Barred


In Engineering & Construction Innovations Inc. v. Western National Mutual Insurance Co., an unpublished decision of the Minnesota Court of Appeals released on August 18, 2010, the court held that clean up costs arising out of the insured’s operations at the … Continue reading

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(Part III) Minnesota CGL: Getting a Handle on Large Construction Defect Claims


This post is a continuation of the series “Minnesota CGL: Getting a Handle on Large Construction Defect Claims.” This post (Part III) addresses the “strict construction” test used to interpret indemnification agreements.  Part IV will address the specific requirements of “insured … Continue reading

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(Part II) Minnesota CGL: Getting a Handle on Large Construction Defect Claims


This post is a continuation of the series “Minnesota CGL: Getting a Handle on Large Construction Defect Claims.” This post, as well as the next three, will focus on the subcontractor’s liability to a general contractor pursuant to an indemnity … Continue reading

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(Part I) Minnesota CGL: Getting a Handle on Large Construction Defect Claims


Large construction defect claims, particularly those involving commercial and multi-unit residential buildings, present some of the most complex claims encountered by those practicing insurance coverage law. The vast majority of CGL claims involve one insured seeking the protection of the … Continue reading

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Minnesota Coverage Law: Criminal Acts Exclusion


In Progressive Northern Ins. Co. v. McDonough, ___ F3rd____ (8th Cir. 2010) (applying Minnesota law), the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals recently interpreted a criminal acts exclusion in an auto policy to bar coverage.  After a night of drinking, Morelli … Continue reading

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Minnesota Adopts “Equitable Contribution” to Apportion Defense Fees


Last week, the Minnesota Supreme Court overruled, finally, the archaic “Iowa National” rule.  Iowa National prohibited a defending liability insurer from seeking contribution or reimbursement of attorney’s fees and costs from other liability insurers who refused to defend.   In Iowa National Mutual Insurance Co. v. Universal … Continue reading

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Negotiated Medical Payments are Collateral Sources says Minnesota Supreme Court


In Swanson v. Brewster, Ct. File AO8-8O6, a decision of the Minnesota Supreme Court released on June 29, 2010, the court held that negotiated-discount amounts—amounts a plaintiff is billed by a medical provider but does not pay because the plaintiff’s … Continue reading

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Lost Policies: Burdens of Proof


What happens when you cannot find an old liability insurance policy?  Here’s a few ground rules. It is well established that the burden of demonstrating liability coverage rests upon the insured.  See, e.g., Domtar, Inc. v. Niagara Fire Ins. Co., … Continue reading

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Pro-Rata Time on the Risk: An Insured’s Contribution Obligation


Wooddale Builders, Inc. v. Maryland Cas. Co., 722 N.W.2d 283 (Minn. 2006) is the leading construction defect case in Minnesota.  The case involved several insurers (I represented West Bend) and over eighty separate water intrusion claims.  In that case, the court recognized, … Continue reading

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