Equitable Defenses Did Not Defeat Class Certification

Blue Shield still faces a possible class action on “post claims underwriting.” California’s Court of Appeal, Second District (Los Angeles), issued a slightly modified opinion after rehearing against Blue Shield. The appellate decisions reverses the Los Angeles County Superior Court’s order denying a motion to certify a class under Proposition 64.  In sum, the appellate court held that equitable defenses cannot be used to defeat a claim under California’s Unfair Competition Law (Bus. & Prof. Code, § 17200 [the “UCL”]) and Blue Shield could not raise as a defense fraud based on statements the insured made in an application for insurance because the application was neither attached to nor endorsed on to the policy when issued. 

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Definition of "Total Disability" Deemed Unambiguous; Precludes Coverage for Gainfully Employed IME Physician

In White v. Continental Cas. Co. (NY Nov. 27, 2007), the New York Court of Appeals considered whether the definition of “total disability” in a disability income policy was ambiguous, and, if not, whether the insured had satisfied the definition to permit recovery under the policy. The court held it was not, and that the insured failed to establish his entitlement to benefits.

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