Recent Publications


Measuring Compliance Risk in Health Care Transactions
February 10, 2014 | Health Services

Health care compliance attorneys are frequently asked to “rate” the risks around various existing or proposed business arrangements involving medical professionals.  Could a given arrangement be viewed as a violation of the Stark Self-Referral Law (“Stark”) or Anti-Kickback Statute (“AKS”)?  Are there compelling, or at least plausible, arguments for why the arrangement should instead be

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New York Insurance Coverage Update
February 1, 2014 | Insurance Coverage

New York Court of Appeals Vacates K2, Rejecting “Automatic Indemnity” Where Insurer Breaches Duty to Defend

In K2 Investment Group, LLC v. American Guarantee & Liability Ins. Co., the insurer breached its duty to defend, and a default judgment was entered against its insured. The New York Court of Appeals has vacated its controversial June

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Golfer Who Allegedly Fought with Another Golfer, Striking Him with His Club, Loses Bid for Coverage
January 31, 2014 | Insurance Coverage

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, affirming a district court decision, has ruled that a homeowner’s insurance carrier was not obligated to defend or indemnify its insured for claims that he got into a fight with a golfer, struck him with his golf club, and injured him.  

The Case 

While golfing with

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Third Circuit Rejects Insureds’ Claim for Coverage in Unsolicited Fax Case
January 31, 2014 | Insurance Coverage

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, affirming a district court’s decision, has ruled that an insurance company was not required to defend or indemnify its insureds for claims that they had sent out unsolicited facsimile advertisements in violation of the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”). 

The Case

After an insured corporation

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Court Rejects Insured’s Argument that Suit Sought Damages for Slogan Infringement Rather than Trademark Infringement
January 31, 2014 | Insurance Coverage

A federal district court in Minnesota has ruled that a policy’s trademark infringement exclusion barred coverage for an action against the insured, rejecting the insured’s argument that the suit was one for covered “slogan infringement.”  

The Case 

The insured company was sued for (1) unfair competition under the Lanham Act, (2) unfair business practices under

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“Septage” Is Unambiguously a Pollutant, Wisconsin Appellate Court Holds
January 31, 2014 | Insurance Coverage

An appellate court in Wisconsin, affirming a trial court’s decision, has ruled that “septage” was “unambiguously” a pollutant within the meaning of various insurance policies’ pollution exclusions. 

The Case 

A lawsuit against the insureds alleged that they had contaminated well water by over-spraying septage – a combination of water, urine, feces, and chemicals – and

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Nebraska Supreme Court Holds that Severability Clause Did Not Change Exclusions’ “Plain” Language or “Create Ambiguity”
January 31, 2014 | Insurance Coverage

The Nebraska Supreme Court has affirmed a trial court’s decision that exclusions in a homeowner’s insurance policy and in a personal umbrella insurance policy barred coverage for claims against the homeowner that his son had sexually assaulted a minor, ruling that a severability clause in the policies did not change the exclusions’ “plain language” or

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Claim for Disability Benefits Filed 9 1/2 Years After Payments Had Ceased Is Dismissed on Statute of Limitations Grounds
January 31, 2014 | Insurance Coverage | Labor & Employment | Appeals

The plaintiff in this case sued Raytheon Company on June 13, 2013 for breach of contract because it had discontinued paying long term disability benefits to him in November 2000. The plaintiff, who had been terminated by Raytheon in July 2002, sought $3.8 million in damages.

Raytheon moved to dismiss, arguing that the plaintiff’s action

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NY High Court Rejects Cause of Action for Medical Monitoring
January 14, 2014 | Complex Torts & Product Liability | Appeals

AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION – MASS TORTS & DEVELOPMENTS

In a December 17, 2013, decision, the New York Court of Appeals refused to adopt an independent equitable cause of action for medical monitoring by a four-to-two vote in Caronia v. Philip Morris USA, Inc., No. 227 (N.Y. Dec. 17, 2013). The decision resolved a split among

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Public Health and Health Planning Council Approves Recommendations To Create Retail Clinics, Reform Urgent Care
January 9, 2014 | Health Services | Corporate

The Public Health and Health Planning Council (the “Council”) voted on January 7th to approve its report on ambulatory services (the “Report,” viewable here), completing an initial step in the process of expanding and reforming ambulatory service clinics in New York.1

The Report seeks to regulate various classes of ambulatory service centers in the State.

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Cases Across the Country: Small, Big, and In Between
January 3, 2014 | Insurance Coverage | Appeals

The legal issues governing insurance fraud that are discussed in this column typically focus on New York law or on federal law and its application to New York cases. The world of insurance fraud is quite extensive, however, as illustrated by recent insurance frauds alleged or uncovered from across the country – including some unusual,

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New York State Not for Profit Reform Law
January 2, 2014 | Health Services

On December 18, 2013, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law the Non-Profit Revitalization Act of 2013 (the “Act”), the full text of which is available here.  The Act, which takes effect on July 1, 2014, represents the first extensive overhaul of New York’s nonprofit laws in over four decades.  The Act is intended

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You Should Trademark That!
January 1, 2014 | Intellectual Property

Not so fast.

With the emergence of online companies advertising discounted trademark registration services, one could easily be misled into believing that securing a trademark registration has been relegated to nothing more than a ministerial act; that with the insouciant wave of the hand, a trademark registration will instantaneously appear at your door step.

Nothing

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New York Insurance Coverage Update
January 1, 2014 | Insurance Coverage

Insurer Ordered To Produce Electronic Claims Diary and Counsel’s Letters Concerning Their Investigation On Behalf Of Insurer

Insureds claimed that their boat had been vandalized. Their insurer denied the claim and the insureds sued. The insureds then moved to compel the insurer to produce an unredacted copy of an electronic claims diary prepared by an

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New York Insurance Coverage Law Update – Compilation – 2013
January 1, 2014 | Insurance Coverage

Please click the link below to view the New York Insurance Coverage Law Update – Compilation-2013. Adobe Reader is required to view the bulletin. If Adobe Reader is not installed on your PC, click here to download and install.

New York Insurance Coverage Law Update – Compilation-2013

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