“No-Fault” Wage-Loss Benefits Required to Be Paid to Unemployed Claimant Suffering Disabling Injury at the Time of Auto Accident

In Jones v. Home Owners Ins. Co.COA, a 2-1 unpublished opinion, the Michigan Court of Appeals held that a claimant suffering disabling injury in an auto accident was entitled to no-fault wage-loss benefits under Michigan's No-Fault Act, characterizing her as "temporarily unemployed" under MCL 500.3107a. MCL 500.3107 of the No-Fault Act provides for first-party insurer "work-loss [...]

Supreme Court to Consider “Scope” of Government’s Liability Under Motor Vehicle Exception and No-Fault Insurance Act

Yesterday, I filed an amicus curiae brief on behalf of the Michigan Townships Association, Oakland County, Macomb County, and Wayne County to challenge the Court of Appeals' decision in Hannay v. Michigan Department of Transportation. There the Court of Appeals ruled that "bodily injury" damages available against the government for injuries arising from the negligent operation of a [...]

No “Prejudice Requirement” or Other Judicial Constructs Can Nullify Strict Compliance with Statutory Notice Provisions to Perfect Claims Against the Government

On November 7, 2013, in Vega v. Gillette, et al., the Court of Appeals ruled a plaintiff who failed to file a notice of an intent to sue the state under MCL 600.6431(3) was barred from suing the government under the motor vehicle exception, MCL 691.1404 of the Governmental Tort Liability Act (GTLA).  The plaintiff was [...]