As the traditional health system continues to fail patients and providers alike, more people are turning to wellness to fill in the gaping hole left by traditional health care. For those wellness practitioners wanting to serve clients as a health, wellness or lifestyle coach, aruveyda or reiki practitioner, yoga instructor, personal trainer, massage therapist, holistic health practitioner, functional medicine practitioner, nutrition counselor or many of the other titles that identify as wellness, a critical question you may ask is
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Wisconsin Supreme Court Addresses Reckless and Intentional Conduct in Insurance Disputes
There are a variety of situations where disputes about insurance coverage may arise, including cases involving injuries that occurred because of a person’s actions. In these situations, insurance companies may deny claims for numerous reasons, claiming that exceptions to coverage apply or that injuries were not accidental. This can put people in a difficult situation as they seek compensation in personal injury cases or similar matters, and they may need to take legal action to fight against the denial
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Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules Integrated Systems Analysis Does Not Apply to Evaluating Insurance Coverage Under a CGL Policy
In 5 Walworth, LLC v. Engerman Contracting, Inc., 2023 WI 51, the Wisconsin Supreme Court addressed insurance coverage for damages allegedly caused by the deficient construction of an inground swimming pool. The pool cracked, causing water to leak into and destabilize the surrounding soil. Attempts were made to fix the cracks, but ultimately the entire pool structure had to be demolished and replaced. The homeowner then sued the general contractor who constructed the defective pool and its two insurers.
Continue Reading Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules Integrated Systems Analysis Does Not Apply to Evaluating Insurance Coverage Under a CGL Policy
Wisconsin Supreme Court Holds the Integrated Systems Rule No Longer Applies to Determine Coverage Under a CGL Policy
In its recent opinion in 5 Walworth, LLC v. Engerman Contracting, Inc., 2023 WI 51, the Wisconsin Supreme Court overruled its prior decision in Wisconsin Pharmacal Co., LLC v. Nebraska Cultures of California, Inc., 2016 WI 14, 367 Wis. 2d 221, 876 N.W.2d 72. Specifically, the Court rejected its analysis in Pharmacal that in order for coverage to apply under the standard insuring agreement of a CGL policy, the alleged property damage must be to property other than the
Continue Reading Wisconsin Supreme Court Holds the Integrated Systems Rule No Longer Applies to Determine Coverage Under a CGL Policy
Wisconsin Supreme Court Affirms Court of Appeals Decision that Anti-assignment Clause Does Not Prohibit Post-loss Assignment of Insurance Rights
Pepsi-Cola Metropolitan Bottling Company, Inc. v. Employers Insurance Company of Wausau, 2023 WI 42
In Pepsi-Cola, the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued a per curiam decision on May 24, 2023, affirming a court of appeals decision dated July 8, 2022, Pepsi-Cola Metropolitan Bottling Company, Inc. v. Employers Insurance Company of Wausau, 2022 WI App 45, 404 Wis. 2d 337, 979 N.W. 2d 627, because no three Supreme Court justices could reach agreement to either affirm, reverse, or affirm in part
Continue Reading Wisconsin Supreme Court Affirms Court of Appeals Decision that Anti-assignment Clause Does Not Prohibit Post-loss Assignment of Insurance Rights
Wisconsin Supreme Court Update: May 2023
It’s time for our monthly check-in on the latest civil law developments at the Wisconsin Supreme Court. In the past month, the court decided five civil cases spanning a broad array of issues including insurance law, eminent domain, and arbitration. Plus, the court granted review in a case touching on taxation and religious liberty. Read on for all the latest.
Cases Decided
Banuelos v. UW Hospitals & Clinics Authority, No. 2020AP1582
Healthcare
Decision Filed: April 4,
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Insurance and Multiple Entities: Two Necessary Evils?
One of the first discussions I have with new business clients is about how their assets are held and if they have sufficient insurance for the risk that they have in the operation of the business. Oftentimes, businesses don’t recognize that they are at risk because insurance agents are not required to tell you what insurance you need to protect yourself from specific risks. Unless you pay an insurance professional a separate fee to advise you on what insurance
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Protect the Goose that Lays the Golden Eggs: Perpetuation Planning and Selling Your Agency
The last several years have seen an unprecedented number of insurance agency purchase and sale transactions. This flurry of activity has led to increased valuation and sale prices for agencies. Now is the time to make sure you have a plan to perpetuate your agency. A perpetuation plan will allow your agency to care for your clients, and to take care of you. Not only is perpetuation planning in your best interest, some insurers, as a condition of agency
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Legalizing Marijuana: Its Impact on Lawyers – and Insurance
As marijuana becomes big business, it may be time for Wisconsin lawyers to take another look at the industry.
As Wisconsin Public Radio reporter Shawn Johnson wrote in a Dec. 21, 2022, article, “Wisconsin is on its way to becoming an island among Midwest states when it comes to recreational marijuana. Already, marijuana is legal in Illinois and Michigan, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, said his state would pass a bill to legalize marijuana by May.”
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Wisconsin Supreme Court Update: April 2023
The April oral argument calendar for the moment appears to be the last of the term for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and there’s only one civil case on it. Meanwhile, we have three civil decisions to review, touching on issues ranging from real estate, to public employment, to insurance. Read on for all the latest from Wisconsin’s highest court.
Cases Decided
Casanova v. Polsky, No. 2019AP1728 & 2019AP2063
Real Estate
Decision Filed: March 16, 2023
Public Citation: 2023 WI
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To Report, or Not to Report, That is the Question
One of the more frequent questions that we receive at the PIA Legal Hotline is whether an agent should report a potential claim to his or her E & O carrier. Usually, the facts are such that the agent likely did nothing wrong. The agent is worried about his or her loss history and the potential effect on premiums.
Reality check – do not be penny-wise and pound-foolish. First, to determine whether an agent needs to report a potential
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Insurance Coverage & Contractors
by: Paralegal Sarah Reckling
A frequent issue that arises in insurance is the extent to which a standard CGL policy covers contractor liability. In my most cases, the issue is not of fact, but of liability insurance language. An insurer, regardless of whether the allegations are covered, must provide a defense of the entire lawsuit. If an insurer wrongfully fails to provide a defense, then the insurer is responsible for the damages to the insured (potentially including attorney’s fees).
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What Are My Options Following a Car Accident With an Uninsured Driver?
By: Attorney Chris Strohbehn and Paralegal Ruth Campos
Those who are involved in car accidents are likely to experience a number of different types of difficulties. In high-speed collisions or other serious cases, emergency medical treatment may be needed, and a victim may receive multiple forms of ongoing care. Even in seemingly minor collisions, a person’s vehicle is likely to be damaged, requiring expensive repairs. In many cases, car accident victims will be covered by the insurance policy of
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Fifth Amendment Doesn’t Insulate Uncooperative Insured from Denial of Coverage, Court of Appeals Rules
Feb. 18, 2022 – The Fifth Amendment’s privilege against self-incrimination does not prevent an insurance company from denying coverage to a homeowner who was unwilling to provide information essential to his claim, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals has ruled.
In
Link v. Link, 2020AP1244 (Feb. 1, 2022) the Court of Appeals District III held that the homeowner’s concealing of information and failure to cooperate with the insurance company were sufficient grounds for the insurance company’s denial of coverage.
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Longtime WILMIC CEO Katja Kunzke retiring
Senior Vice President Tom Watson To Succeed KunzkeWisconsin Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company President and CEO Katja Kunzke is retiring after more than 17 years in the top spot. Kunzke took over the position in June of 2004. She will leave WILMIC as the longest-serving President and CEO in the company’s 35-year history.Kunzke piloted WILMIC through a wave of change in technology, shifts in the lawyer population in Wisconsin, and most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. During her tenure, WILMIC has
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Check Out WILMIC’s Succession Planning Guidebook
WILMIC and the State Bar Senior Lawyers Division Announce the Release of the new Succession Planning Guidebook:Winding Down: Considerations for Exiting the Practice of Law
Click the image above to access the guidebook (PDF)
This publication is available at no cost
- Transitioning Your Law Practice — When Do You Know It’s the Right Time?
- What Is My Law Practice Worth? Valuation of a Law Firm and a Law Practice
- Case Studies – Merging Practices, Selling a Practice, Closing a
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