Claims Adjuster Properly Joined in COVID-19 Action, Texas Federal Judge Rules

SAN ANTONIO — A Texas federal judge has remanded a lawsuit in which a group of restaurants seek coverage for COVID-19-related losses, ruling that the non-diverse insurance adjuster defendant was not improperly joined, therefore diversity jurisdiction is lacking.

In a Sept. 8 order, Judge Xavier Rodriguez of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas explained that plaintiffs have adequately pled a cause of action against defendant Christopher Michels, who allegedly conducted an outcome-oriented investigation of the claims.

Plaintiffs Jada Restaurant Group LLC, Tre Trattoria, Two Bros BBQ, SJ2 Restaurant Group LLC, Chispas, Dady Restaurants LLC, Range Alamo …