Insurers and Businesses Should Always Consider What Options are Available for Insurance Coverage and Recovery of Insurance Assets When Facing a Dispute, Claim or Lawsuit

One of the most important ways insurance companies and businesses can manage their assets and control their liability is to think creatively about insurance and insuring agreements in managing their day-to-day business operations.  Disputes, claims, and yes, lawsuits often arise in the ordinary course of thriving and vibrant businesses.  This is a natural consequence of [...]

Supreme Court Reverses Court of Appeals’ Ruling Property Owner Maintained Nuisance In Fact and Negligent Nuisance

In an earlier post, I mentioned that the Michigan Supreme Court issued an order in this premises liability case against a commercial property owner directing the Court of Appeals to adopt the dissenting opinion of Judge Murray and reversing the damages award of $223,000 against the property owner.  However, I wrote the Court's reversal constituted [...]

Court of Appeals Holds All Three Criteria in MCL 418.161(1)(n) Must Be Met Before a Person Can Be Considered an “Independent Contractor” as “Opposed to an Employee” Under Workers’ Compensation Insurance Policy

In  a published decision released yesterday, Auto Owners Ins Co v. All Star Lawn, et al Auto Owners Ins Co v. All Star Lawn, et al, the Court of Appeals concludes that all three criteria in MCL 418.161(1)(n) of the Workers Disability Compensation Act (WDCA) must be met before a person can be considered an “independent [...]

Residential Landlords Placed on Notice of Criminal Activity on Premises Liable for Attacks on Tenants and Guests Even Where Attack Takes Place in Open / Public Spaces Adjacent to Apartment / Dwelling

The Michigan Supreme Court ruled today in the case of Bailey v. Schaaf Opinion.07,.30.2013.144055 Opinion, that a residential landlord could be held liable to the guest of a tenant who was randomly attacked by an unknown criminal perpetrator who entered the property.  Tenants and guests at a barbecue held by one of the tenants were [...]