GMSR: Cases: Robert A. Olson

GMSR has a long history of representing insurance carriers on a wide range of issues, including first- and third-party coverage, excess insurance, contribution and allocation claims, as well as bad faith liability issues, such as Brandt fee questions and punitive damages. We regularly use this experience to assist clients in all facets of the appellate process. We also counsel both carriers and policyholders regarding their potential liabilities and rights.

Insurance Law Cases by Robert A. Olson
Click on featured cases (in red) for more information.

Cardio Diagnostic Imaging, Inc. v. Farmers Group, Inc. et al. (2012) 212 Cal.App.4th 69
Affirming judgment for GMSR’s client, Court of Appeal holds that insurance policy exclusion for damage caused by water that “backs up or overflows” unambiguously applies to damage caused by toilet overflow due to blocked drain or sewer
Robert A. Olson , Gary J. Wax

Guerrette v. Farmers Group, Inc. et al. (2012) 2012 Cal.App. Unpub. LEXIS 8636
Court of Appeal affirmed jury verdict for insurer, rejecting insured’s argument that denial of his fire damage claim was tantamount to cancelling his insurance policy and finding trial court did not err in admitting evidence of insured’s misrepresentations beyond those the insurer initially specified
Robert A. Olson , Sheila A. Wirkus

Bridal Images, Inc. v. Truck Insurance Exchange (2010) 2010 Cal.App. Unpub. LEXIS 1001
Insurer’s reasonable dispute of claim’s validity barred tort damages even though the claim itself was later held to be valid
Robert A. Olson

Compulink Management Center, Inc. v. St. Paul Fire and Marine Ins. Co. (2008) 169 Cal.App.4th 289
Insured must arbitrate amount of defense fees owed where defense eventually provided even if claiming bad faith delay
Robert A. Olson

Edwards v. Fire Insurance Exchange (2008) 2008 Cal.App. Unpub. LEXIS 2428
Claim for insurance benefits by purported assignee of policy
Robert A. Olson , Alana H. Rotter

Lyons v. Farmers Insurance Exchange (2008) 161 Cal.App.4th 880
No coverage for insured’s sexual advances
Robert A. Olson

Fuller-Austin Insulation Co. v. Highlands Ins. Company (2006) 135 Cal.App.4th 958
Reversal of $100-plus million, involving extent to which stipulated bankruptcy settlement of asbestos claims could be enforced against bankrupt defendant’s excess insurers
Irving H. Greines , Robert A. Olson , Peter O. Israel

Scottsdale Ins. Co. v. MV Transportation (2005) 36 Cal.4th 643
Reimbursement of attorney fees and costs insurer paid for defense when ultimately determined that policy never afforded potential coverage (amicus curiae brief)
Irving H. Greines , Feris M. Greenberger , Robert A. Olson

Cassim v. Allstate Insurance Co. (2004) 33 Cal.4th 780
How Brandt fees should be awarded in contingent fee bad faith cases (amicus curiae brief)
Irving H. Greines , Feris M. Greenberger , Robert A. Olson

Surgin Surgical v. Truck Insurance Exchange (2002) 2002 Cal.App. Unpub. LEXIS 5582
Interpretation of advertising liability coverage; liability for bad faith
Irving H. Greines , Feris M. Greenberger , Robert A. Olson

Levitsky v. Farmers Insurance Group of Companies (2002) 2002 Cal.App. Unpub. LEXIS 2004
Requirement that medical bills be submitted within 60 days of treatment to be covered
Robert A. Olson , Edward L. Xanders

Tradewinds Escrow, Inc. v. Truck Ins. Exchange (2002) 97 Cal.App.4th 704
Escrow agent’s commercial general liability policy covered only accidental occurrences, not professional negligence
Robert A. Olson , Edward L. Xanders

Breiholz v. Farmers Group, Inc. (2001) 2001 Cal. LEXIS 6247
Professional services exclusion included construction contract manager
Robert A. Olson , Edward L. Xanders

Vollmer v. Farmers Insurance Group of Companies (2000, D029130)
Judgment against attorney in fact and management company for insurer reversed
Irving H. Greines , Robert A. Olson

Mez Industries, Inc. v. Pacific Nat. Ins. Co. (1999) 76 Cal.App.4th 856
Liability insurer’s duty to defend patent infringement action under coverage for advertising injuries
Irving H. Greines , Marc J. Poster , Robert A. Olson , Edward L. Xanders

Midiman v. Farmers Insurance Exchange (1999) 76 Cal.App.4th 102
Carrier’s rejection of insured's choice of counsel did not allow insured to hold carrier to settlement made without carrier’s consent
Irving H. Greines , Robin Meadow , Robert A. Olson

Surgin Surgical Instrumentation, Inc. v. Truck Ins. Exchange (1998) 76 Cal.Rptr.2d 303
Reversal of $59.8 million default judgment based on terminating discovery sanctions in insurance bad faith case
Irving H. Greines , Robin Meadow , Robert A. Olson

Dynamic Concepts, Inc. v. Truck Ins. Exchange (1998) 61 Cal.App.4th 999
Policyholder’s unilateral settlement does not trigger duty to provide independent counsel
Irving H. Greines , Marc J. Poster , Robert A. Olson

[ See all Cases ]