Conflict of Laws

Read Personal Injury Law updates, news, and legal commentary from leading lawyers and law firms:

News & Analysis as of May 18, 2013

Supreme Court “Dooms” Equitable Defenses to Plan’s Reimbursement Provisions

by Lori Oliphant | Winstead PC on 4/19/2013

In a prior blog, I discussed the importance of including unambiguous reimbursement rights in health plan documents in order to manage healthcare costs. The enforceability of such rights was confirmed by the United States...more

High Court Rules Equitable Defenses Don’t Override ERISA Plan Terms

by Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart,... on 4/19/2013

On April 16, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in US Airways, Inc. v. McCutchen (No. 11–1285), deciding the issue of whether equitable defenses, such as the principle of unjust enrichment, can override the...more

U.S. Supreme Court: Equity Cannot Trump ERISA Plan Terms in ERISA Reimbursement Case

by D. Michael Reilly | Lane Powell PC - ERISA Law on 4/18/2013

The U.S. Supreme Court yesterday strengthened the ability of employer health insurance plans to recoup payments for medical expenses paid for an injured plan participant who later sues to recover damages from a third...more

Attorneys' Fees Reduce ERISA Plan's Recovery From Common Fund

by James Hazlehurst, Robert Renner | Barger & Wolen on 4/17/2013

The United States Supreme Court ruled today that absent an express provision to the contrary, the amount an ERISA plan can recover from a plan participant’s lawsuit against a third-party tortfeasor must be reduced...more

Illinois Supreme Court Refuses to Invalidate Policy Deadline for Uninsured Motorist Claims

by Sedgwick LLP on 10/19/2012

Can an insurance policy be rendered unenforceable by Illinois public policy because of a conflict with another state's law? This morning, in an opinion by Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier for a 6-1 majority, the Illinois...more

Letters of Protection- A Hobson’s Choice for Patient, Doctor and Attorney A Personal Injury Lawyer/ Medical Practice...

by Andrew Rader on 10/1/2012

A “Hobson’s Choice” is a choice that appears to give you more than one option, but in fact only offers one option. So it is with the Letter of Protection (LOP). You, the patient, doctor or attorney, think...more

Sedgwick Jury Trial Bad Faith Victory Results in Appellate Court Decision Barring Vicarious Liability

by Sedgwick LLP on 9/12/2011

A couple of years ago, Sedgwick authored an amicus brief, which the California Court of Appeal in Watanabe v. California Physicians' Service (2008) 169 Cal.App.4th 56 relied upon to hold that California Health & Safety Code...more

SCC Deals with Falling Trees; Falling Leaves

by Dan Strigberger on 5/19/2011

The Supreme Court of Canada released two leave to appeal judgments of interest to the insurance industry. One application for leave was granted. The other was dismissed .....more

A Little Bit On ICBC Injury Claims And The Jurisdiction Of BC Courts

by Erik Magraken, ICBC Injury Claims Lawyer on 2/24/2009

Article by BC Personal Injury Claims Lawyer Erik Magraken discussing some of the circumstances when a BC Court may have jurisdiction to preside over an auto Injury Claim which occurred out of Province. Particularly this...more