Best (and worst) of 2011; COVERAGE DISPUTES.

Byline: Rodd Zolkos

Among the best insurance coverage dispute decisions of 2011 was Park Electrochemical Corp. vs. Continental Casualty Co., according to John N. Ellison, partner at Reed Smith L.L.P. in New York and Philadelphia.

In that decision, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York "correctly concluded that general territorial limitations in property policies do not apply to contingent business income losses suffered by U.S. companies," he said.

"The importance of this case is that many companies impacted by the events in Japan and Thailand may face similar arguments raised by property insurers, and this decision should go a long way …