JPML Declines to Create Certain Insurer-Specific Dockets for COVID-19 Coverage Actions

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– A federal panel has denied motions to create insurer-specific multidistrict litigation dockets for COVID-19 business interruption coverage actions filed against Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s, London, Cincinnati Insurance Co., Travelers and Hartford, ruling that “efficiency is best obtained outside of an MDL.”

In the Oct. 2 orders, the panel explained that while the cases involve common legal and factual questions, allowing the various transferor courts to decide policy interpretation questions “will result in quicker and more efficient resolution of this litigation.”

The panel explained that if the actions were centralized, “the transferee court would have to establish a …