In Thom v. 1st Auto & Casualty Insurance Company (2020AP285), the District IV Court of Appeals determined an insurer’s liability for a vehicle covered but not specifically described by a policy issued by that insurer. Facts Thom was severely injured when she was involved in a car accident with another vehicle driven by a thirteen-year-old […]
Thom v. 1st Auto & Casualty Insurance Company (Auto Insurance)
Date Tue, Jun. 1, 2021 - 1:45pm By Hamilton
Rave v. SVA Healthcare Services (Class Certification)
Date Tue, Jun. 1, 2021 - 1:44pm By Hamilton
In Rave v. SVA Healthcare Services (2019AP2236), the District I Court of Appeals upheld the circuit court’s decision to certify a class in a lawsuit involving fees for medical records. Facts After being injured in a car crash, Rave retained a personal injury law firm and authorized his attorneys to obtain his health care records. […]
Mohns v. BMO Harris Bank (Discovery Violations)
Date Tue, Apr. 13, 2021 - 1:04pm By Hamilton
In Mohns v. BMO Harris Bank (2018AP71), the Wisconsin Supreme Court held that the circuit court was within its discretion to impose judgement on liability, including for intentional misrepresentation, as a sanction for discovery violations. Facts Mohns, Inc. was the general contractor for a condominium construction venture developed by Paul Bouraxis and financed by BMO […]
Clark v. League of Wisconsin Municipalities Mutual Insurance Company (Notice of Claim)
Date Tue, Apr. 13, 2021 - 1:03pm By Hamilton
In Clark v. League of Wisconsin Municipalities Mutual Insurance Company (2019AP954 and 2019AP1489), the District II Court of Appeals held that a claim may still be able to proceed even though the plaintiff failed to provide formal notice as required by Wis. Stat. § 893.80(1d)(a). Facts While working as an instructor for Fox Valley Technical […]
Great Lakes Excavating v. Dollar Tree Stores (Construction Lien Waiver)
Date Tue, Apr. 13, 2021 - 1:03pm By Hamilton
In Great Lakes Excavating v. Dollar Tree Stores (2019AP2095), the District I Court of Appeals held that an improperly limited lien waiver that did not comply with Wis. Stat. § 779.05(1) constituted a full waiver of lien rights. Facts Riverworks City Center contracted with AMCON Design and Construction to build a commercial building and parking […]
Cincinnati Insurance Company v. Ropicky (Insurance Claim Investigation)
Date Tue, Apr. 13, 2021 - 1:02pm By Hamilton
In Cincinnati Insurance Company v. Ropicky (2020AP791), the District II Court of Appeals held that an agent acting on behalf of an insurer to conduct a post-loss claim investigation was not exempt from liability for negligence. Facts Homeowners Ropicky and Leichtfuss filed a property damage claim with Cincinnati Insurance Company, the issuer of their homeowners’ […]
Gamini v. Quartz Health Benefit Plans Corporation (Health Insurance Claim Denial)
Date Tue, Apr. 13, 2021 - 1:02pm By Hamilton
In Gamini v. Quartz Health Benefit Plans Corporation (2020AP1442), the District IV Court of Appeals upheld a health insurer’s denial of an insurance claim. Facts Gamini’s son was visiting another country when he began experiencing severe dental pain. An X-ray revealed four impacted wisdom teeth, which were removed by an oral surgeon. The family was […]
V&J Employment Services v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Company (Employee Benefits Liability Coverage)
Date Tue, Apr. 13, 2021 - 1:01pm By Hamilton
In V&J Employment Services v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Company (2019AP2415), the District I Court of Appeals held that a company’s commercial insurance policy, including employee benefits liability coverage, did not provide for defense or indemnification against lawsuits involving wage claims. Facts A group of companies under the V&J brand faced several class-action lawsuits in New […]
Kennedy v. Gander (Medical Malpractice)
Date Tue, Apr. 13, 2021 - 1:01pm By Hamilton
In Kennedy v. Gander (2020AP218), the District IV Court of Appeals held that a lawsuit against a nonprovider employee of a health care provider could not proceed because the employer was not a party to the suit. Facts Kennedy received treatment from Gander, a physician assistant, at a facility operated by SSM Health. Kennedy and […]
Governor Evers Signs Bill Including COVID Liability Protections, UI Reforms
Date Fri, Feb. 26, 2021 - 9:24am By Hamilton
On Thursday, February 25, Governor Tony Evers signed 2021 Act 4, legislation including both COVID liability protections and reforms to the state’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) system. The bill cleared the Legislature with widespread support, passing the Senate by 27-3 on February 18 and the Assembly by 89-0 on February 23. Senate President Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield), […]