In CSAA Ins. Exch. V. Hodroj, 72 Cal.App.5th 272 (December 1, 2021), the California Sixth District Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court’s entry of summary judgment in favor of CSAA in connection with a dispute arising out the settlement of a bodily injury claim made by Raed Hodroj (“Hodroj”) against CSAA Insurance Exchange’s (“CSAA”) insured. The claim arose out of an automobile accident.

In The Inns by the Sea v. California Mut. Ins. Co., 71 Cal. App.5th 688 (November 15, 2021), the California Fourth District Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court’s dismissal of a lawsuit filed by The Inns by the Sea (“Inns”) against California Mutual Insurance Company (“California Mutual”). The Inns’ lawsuit alleged that coverage was afforded under a commercial property policy issued by California Mutual for business income losses sustained as a result of government orders requiring the shut-down of commercial businesses so as to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

In Travelers Indem. Co. of Conn. v. Navigators Specialty Ins. Co., 70 Cal.App.5th 341 (October 15, 2021), the California Fourth District Court of Appeal reversed the trial court’s order dismissing a lawsuit filed by Travelers alleging causes of action for declaratory relief, equitable contribution, and equitable indemnity against Navigators Specialty Insurance Company ((“Navigators”) and Mt. Hawley Insurance Company (“Mt. Hawley”).

In Janney v. CSAA In. Exch., 70 Cal.App.5th 374 (October 15, 2021), the California Third District Court of Appeal affirmed a summary judgment in favor of CSAA Insurance Exchange (“CSAA”) in connection with a breach of contract and bad faith lawsuit filed by Peggy Baltar in connection with CSAA’s adjustment of a property loss involving the destruction of Baltar’s home as result of the Boles fire in September 2014.

In response to the nation’s highest rate of new coronavirus infections and an alarming rise in new hospitalizations, Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee has adopted aggressive new measures to “flatten the curve” and reduce the strain on a hospital system that he characterized as “at a breaking point” at his December 15 press conference announcing the rules. As of Monday, December 20, 2021, all Rhode Islanders are required to mask up before entering certain large businesses. Small businesses have the option of allowing people to enter mask-free if they produce proof that they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

New York Partner James T. Whalen, Jr. recently secured a defense verdict when a New York jury determined that a plaintiff who was struck by a bus and underwent three knee surgeries did not sustain a threshold injury under New York law.

In the early evening hours of December 17, 2021, a three-judge panel of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals lifted the stay of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). As a result, employers with more than 99 employees must have all employees vaccinated or masked and tested weekly.

As has been widely publicized, the Biden Administration has attempted to impose various forms of vaccine mandates under a variety laws and programs. At the same time, we have seen a flurry of opposition to these efforts ranging from new state laws to court challenges seeking to enjoin the effort. One of the federal mandates was issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and is applicable to staff at Medicare- and Medicaid-certified healthcare providers.