Equitas Appealing $8.5 Million Judgment, Opposes Cedent’s Motion for $400,000 in Fees

NEW YORK — Equitas Insurance Ltd. is appealing a New York federal judge’s orders requiring it to pay The Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania (ICSOP) $7,234,125 for ICSOP’s settlement of pollution claims brought against Dole Food Co., plus 1,250,597.81 in prejudgment interest.

In addition, Equitas opposed ICSOP’s motion for $400,000 in costs, including experts’ and attorneys’ fees, arguing that such an award would be contrary to New York law, under which attorneys’ fees are not awarded to the prevailing party “unless authorized by agreement between the parties, statute, or court rule.”

The notice of appeal and opposition …