CGL Doesn't Cover Torture Claims Arising Out Of Abu Ghraig
The Fourth Circuit ruled yesterday that allegations that employees of an American security firm that abetted the torture of detainees at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq are outside the Coverage Territory of a CGL policy issued by St. Paul. In CACI, International, Inc. v. St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co., No. 08-1885 (4th Cir. May 14, 2009), the court voted 2-1 to affirm the findings of a West Virginia District Court that the alleged abuses did not occur within the territory of the United States and its possessions. The court declined to find that allegations that conduct that did occur in the United States wherein the insured was allegedly negligent in hiring these employees triggered coverage. Apart from the fact that the Complaint did not expressly allege where these acts occurred, the court ruled that it is the place of injury, not of the insured’s negligent acts, that governs the application of the Coverage Territory clause. Justice Shedd authored a brief dissent, arguing that the claims fell within the exception for insureds working outside the territory for a “short period.”
Kudos to Walter Andrews of Hunton & Williams!
