Overview
Law360 covered Steptoe’s major win for St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Co., a division of Travelers, in an article titled “4th Circ. Upholds Insurers' Win In Asbestos Coverage Row.” On March 26, the Fourth Circuit upheld a Maryland federal court's ruling that Travelers has no further duty to cover insulation firm Walter E. Campbell Co. Inc.'s costs to defend and settle asbestos injury claims. Travelers had prevailed at the district court level, and in a 25-page published opinion, the unanimous panel affirmed on all issues, including application of the products/non-products limit, burden of proof, various evidentiary issues, and limitations in the context of insurance coverage breach of contract claims arising out of asbestos liabilities. The panel also refused the appellants’ motion to certify the issues to the Maryland Court of Appeals.
Steptoe insurance litigation partners Harry Lee and Catherine Cockerham handled the appeal, with assistance from of counsel Andrew Sloniewsky and partner Shannen Coffin, all based in the firm’s Washington office.
The full article can be read at Law360 (subscription required).