Louisiana Appellate Court Reverses Trial Court Decision Entered in Asbestos-Related Insurance Coverage Dispute

NEW ORLEANS –– A Louisiana appellate court has reversed a trial court decision finding a settlement between an insurer and an asbestos defendant was null and void.

In the Feb. 25 opinion, the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal ruled that since the dispute involved insurance companies, the public policy protections were not applicable.

The trial court awarded summary judgment to OneBeacon America Insurance Co. and OneBeacon Insurance Co., effectively annulling a settlement agreement between Eagle Inc. and United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company (USF&G), the appellate court noted.

As the insurer of Eagle, OneBeacon was named as a …