Ala. High Court Rejects Insurer's Bid to Intervene in Builder's Drywall Suit

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Alabama Supreme Court has upheld a trial court decision preventing Employers Mutual Casualty Co. from intervening in a Chinese drywall suit that was brought against a builder the company insured under 19 commercial general liability and umbrella polices. Employers Mutual Casualty Co. v. Holman Building Co. LLC, et al., No. 1100106 (Ala. Sup. Ct.).

In an Oct. 28 decision, the high court rejected Employers Mutual's bid to participate in discovery and possibly have a trial in the matter bifurcated for resolution of coverage-related issues. The court cited the already complex nature of the suit, which was …