Texas Flag and Lady Justice

TEXAS LAW LIMITS HEALTH SUBROGATION: H.B. 1869 Enacts New Chapter 140 In Response To Fortis Benefits

We have long known that Democrats, financially fueled by the trial lawyers’ lobby, are no fans of subrogation. Surprisingly, even Republicans continue to battle the subrogation bogeyman, an indication that subrogation education and lobbying of our legislators should be a priority in our industry. The most recent example is in Texas, where Republican legislators sponsored,…

Business - Sales Tax

SALES AND USE TAXES ON SUBROGATION SERVICES: Navigating The Sales Tax Maze In South Dakota, New Mexico, And Hawaii

As a means of raising revenue, particularly during times of economic crisis, a handful of states employ, and many states repeatedly revisit, the dubious and counter-productive scheme of imposing a tax on professional services, whether as a sales tax (including lifting an exemption in many states’ sales tax code for professional services), use tax, excise…

Product Liability Law

PRODUCTS LIABILITY TEST CHANGED IN WISCONSIN: Wisconsin Follows Trend Towards Adopting Restatement (Third) Of Torts

A rapidly changing area of insurance defense involves products causing injury or damage to people and property. Many states are moving towards adopting the standards set by the Restatement (Third) of Torts, and Wisconsin is no different. On February 1, 2011, the Wisconsin Omnibus Tort Reform Act went into effect, severely affecting and changing products…

Wisconsin State Flag

New Underinsured Motorist Coverage Case Decided By The Wisconsin Supreme Court

In Bethke v. Auto-Owners Ins. Co., 2013 WI 16 (2013), the plaintiffs sought underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage under a policy issued by Auto-Owners (“Owners”) as a result of an automobile accident caused by an allegedly negligent driver of a rental vehicle owned by Avis Rent-A-Car (“Avis”). Avis, as a car rental company, was statutorily required…