Practicing insurance defense across a wide spectrum of policy areas in Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and beyond, the attorneys at Glassman, Wyatt, Tuttle & Cox, P.C. possess the knowledge, background and skill to engage in effective insurance coverage analysis and litigation at the start of any first party or third party claims process. Richard Glassman, the Firm’s Senior Shareholder, is an Instructor on Insurance Law at the University of Memphis School of Law. Dale Tuttle, another Shareholder with the Firm, is listed in Best Lawyers in America for Insurance Law. Many of the Firm’s other attorneys have handled insurance coverage litigation and analysis for matters both small and large.
Coverage Analysis
A threshold issue in many insurance defense cases is to determine whether insurance coverage and liability applies. With extensive experience in the field of insurance law, our attorneys are familiar with insurance policy terms and conditions and applying those terms to the facts in a particular claim. Our coverage analysis includes rendering a professional legal opinion letter based on a thorough review and sound, informed interpretation of the policy. The Firm’s opinion letter can be utilized to help and resolve coverage disputes or provide important information for developing a strategy for loss prevention and risk management in the matter at hand.
Coverage Litigation
When the question of coverage remains in dispute between the insurance company and its insured, litigation may be required. Initially, the matter may be resolved through a declaratory judgment, which is an action used to determine the rights and obligations between parties as to a particular legal matter. The Firm has assisted in a number of coverage disputes in both state and federal courts.
First Party Claims Litigation
Disputes over coverage and the handling of claims may take many forms, and the insured may accuse the insurance company of acting in bad faith in any number of ways. The Firm’s attorneys have experience in handling bad faith claims and coverage dispute claims involving the denial of benefits, the duty to investigate a claim, unreasonable delay in processing a claim, the duty to defend or accept a third party’s settlement demand, or rescission of the insurance contract.
Third Party Claims Litigation
The insurer’s obligation to its insured may include to settle and pay claims in accordance with the policy. In the context of third party claims, it can be said that the obligation of the insurance company is to protect the insured from a judgment in excess of the policy limits. Fulfilling this obligation may include a duty to settle, to accept a reasonable settlement demand, or to defend the insured in a legal action brought by the third party. Our attorneys engage in an extensive insurance defense practice, so if the decision is made to litigate the underlying matter, we will vigorously defend the claim with the knowledge and skills gained from years of civil trial experience.
Experience Across the Spectrum of Insurance Litigation
The Memphis, Tennessee firm of Glassman, Wyatt, Tuttle & Cox, PC provides analysis and litigation for the following types of coverage:
- Commercial General Liability (CGL)
- Personal and Business Automobile
- Homeowners
- Excess and Umbrella Coverage
- Architectural and Engineering
- Professional Liability
- Director and Officer Liability
- Clergyman and Church Policies
- Farm and Ranch Policies
- Recreational Vehicle (watercraft, ATV, etc.)
- Reinsurance
The firm also has a record of representing policyholders in select cases which do not present a conflict with the firm’s representation of or assistance with insurance carriers.
For sound professional advice and counseling regarding the issue of coverage, and effective advocacy in the event of litigation, we invite you to contact us today: