Legal Opinion
Essex Insurance v. T-Birds Nightclub & Restaurant, Inc.
Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York
Decided July 12, 1996PublishedCited by 5 opinions
1Opinion of the Court
—Judgment unanimously affirmed without costs. Memorandum: Supreme Court properly directed plaintiff to defend T-Birds Nightclub & Restaurant, Inc. (defendant), its insured, in the underlying personal injury action. "An insurer must *920defend whenever the four corners of the complaint suggest—or the insurer has actual knowledge of facts establishing—a reasonable possibility of coverage” (Continental Cas. Co. v Rapid-American Corp., 80 NY2d 640, 648). Where the allegations of the complaint fall within the scope of coverage, the insurer must defend "regardless of how false or groundless those…
2Cases cited5 opinions
- Seaboard Surety Co. v. Gillette Co.New York Court of Appeals · 1984
- Continental Casualty Co. v. Rapid-American Corp.New York Court of Appeals · 1993
- Fitzpatrick v. American Honda Motor Co.New York Court of Appeals · 1991
- U.S. Underwriters Insurance v. Val-Blue Corp.New York Court of Appeals · 1995
- Miano v. HehnAppellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York · 1994
3Cited by5 opinions
- Anastasis v. American Safety Indemnity Co.Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York · 2004
- Sphere Drake Insurance v. Block 7206 Corp.Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York · 1997
- Essex Insurance v. ZwickAppellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York · 2006
- Anderson v. Burlington Insurance CompanyDistrict Court, W.D. New York · 2023
- Hermitage Insurance v. Beer-Bros, Inc.New York Supreme Court · 2015