Excess Insurer Says Fireman's Fund 'Abandoned' International Talc

HARTFORD, Conn. - An excess insurer that says it had to step in and defend an insured facing hundreds of silica, asbestos and talc cases, has filed a declaratory judgment action against Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. for primary coverage for defense costs and indemnification. Continental Casualty Co. v. Fireman's Fund Insurance Co., No. 3:12-cv-00125-VLB (D. Conn.).

Fireman's Fund removed the action to the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut Jan. 27, asserting that there is complete diversity between itself and plaintiff Continental Casualty Corp. The defendant filed an answer on Feb. 3.

Continental originally filed the action in …