11th Circuit Affirms Ruling that Defendants Waived Arbitration

[Editor's note: Rachel J. Schwartz of Carlton Fields in New York represents property and casualty insurance industry clients in litigation, and counsels them on varied coverage matters, including coverage disputes arising under Commercial General Liability and Directors & Officer policies.]

Three families living in Tuscaloosa County, Ala., filed three separate actions against J. Michael White, Eco-Preservation Services LLC, Serma Holdings LLC, Aeta Management Group, Knobloch Inc., and others after receiving sewer bills in excess of $5,000.

According to the complaints, defendants shut plaintiffs’ water off for delinquency and charged the families substantial fees and threatened criminal prosecution.

Plaintiffs …