On September 22, 2025, an appraisal award of $187 million was vacated by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, because the appraiser selected by the homeowner’s association never actually stated an amount of loss. In Westchester Surplus Lines Ins. Co. v. Portofino Master Homeowners Ass’n Inc., following damage caused by Hurricane …
$187 Million Appraisal Award Vacated in Florida: Here’s Why Read More »
For decades, courts applying Pennsylvania law have held that faulty workmanship claims in commercial general liability (“CGL”) policies do not constitute an “occurrence,” while also concluding that weather-related damages stemming from faulty workmanship also fail to meet the definition of “occurrence.” The well-known, oft-cited, case law supporting these conclusions includes Kvaerner v. Commercial Union Ins. …
The Evolving Application of the “Faulty Workmanship” Exclusion Read More »
When it comes to condominium insurance, one question drives nearly every claim dispute: “Whose policy pays?” The answer depends on how the condominium association’s master policy interacts with each unit owner’s individual coverage—a relationship that is often misunderstood. The Three Master Policy Types Why It Matters These distinctions become critical after a loss. Misunderstandings often …
Condo Insurance 101: Why Understanding Coverage Overlap Matters Read More »
High-stakes civil litigation in Philadelphia’s Court of Common Pleas — often characterized as Wonka’s “Golden Ticket” — was again analyzed in yesterday’s Philadelphia Inquirer. Statistics previously released by the court portrayed a plaintiff-friendly venue, sought at all costs by fee-driven, plaintiff lawyers. Additional statistics, unreported by the Inquirer, detail a different story. In 2024, 12 …
Philadelphia Litigation: “Golden Ticket” or Fair Play? Read More »
Pennsylvania’s attorney disciplinary process may be unfamiliar to many practitioners. No attorney contemplates a career involving an ethical review of their conduct within our Commonwealth’s disciplinary system. Regardless, Pennsylvania attorneys must have familiarity with the disciplinary process and the scope of the Rules of Professional Conduct. The aim of this Blog is to emphasize that necessary knowledge, while inviting …
Observations of the Pennsylvania Attorney Disciplinary Process Read More »
First party property policies generally feature a post-loss duty related to the “proof of loss.” Any policy provision that conditions recovery on compliance and carries the potential of a forfeiture must be recognized as quite important. Because the proof of loss form has been frequently misunderstood, sometimes misused, it deserves far more attention from insurers …
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season started on June 1 and runs through November 30. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has once again forecasted an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season for 2025. They anticipate between 13 and 19 named storms, 6 to 10 of which will become hurricanes, including 3 to 5 major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher). …
HKR’s hard-hitting, multi-disciplinary team has been recognized for its trial skill, industry knowledge, and results. HKR is proud to offer the same level of experience, insight, and results-driven representation in a new location—Florida. HKR expanded its presence into the Sunshine State, opening an office in the Wells Fargo Building in downtown Tampa: 100 South Ashley …
In 2023, the U.S. witnessed a surge in so-called “nuclear verdicts™,” with 27 court cases each awarding over $100 million in damages. This trend has propelled social inflation—a term describing the rising costs of insurance claims beyond economic factors—to a 20-year high of 7%. Developments like these are reshaping the landscape of liability insurance, leading to increased …
Nuclear Verdicts and Social Inflation: A Growing Concern for Insurers Read More »
In this week’s Progressive American Insurance Company v. Gonzalez, a Florida state appellate panel provided additional clarity related to civil remedy notices and the notice necessary to insurers post-filing. In doing so, the court reversed a $25 Million judgment. In Gonzalez, after being injured in a car accident and filing a UM/UIM claim with Progressive, …
$25 Million Judgment Reversed By Florida Appellate Court Read More »
