Conn. High Court Finds Guarantee Association 'Last Insurer' on Silicosis Risk

HARTFORD, Conn. - The Connecticut Supreme Court has ordered the state's guaranty association for insolvent insurers to assume initial liability for a worker's silicosis claim despite the association's assertion that state law requires all other insurers on an assumed risk to exhaust their coverage first. Franklin v. Superior Casting, et al., No. SC 18501 (Conn. Sup. Ct.).

The high court ruled in an opinion to be released on Aug. 30 that there is no conflict between the Connecticut Insurance Guaranty Association's enabling legislation and the Connecticut's Workers' Compensation Act requirement that the last insurer on the risk provide initial coverage …