By: Derek Hawkins//October 19, 2020//
7th Circuit Court of Appeals
Case Name: Scottsdale Insurance Company v. Columbia Insurance Group, Inc.,
Case No.: 19-3315
Officials: MANION, KANNE, and WOOD Circuit Judges.
Focus: Insurance Claim – Duty to Defend
While performing HVAC work at a construction site in Chicago, Eduardo Guzman fell approximately 22 feet through an unguarded opening in the second floor, sustaining serious injuries. Guzman sued Rockwell Properties (the owner), Prairie Management & Development (the manager), and others in state court.
The issue before us is whether Columbia Insurance Group (Guzman’s employers’ insurer) owes a duty to defend Rockwell and Prairie. Scottsdale Insurance Company (Rockwell’s insurer) wants Columbia to take over the defense. The district court granted Scottsdale judgment on the pleadings, declaring Columbia has a duty to defend Rockwell and Prairie, and ordering Columbia to reimburse prior defense costs. We affirm.
Affirmed