Judge Remands Air Liquide Coverage Action, Rejects Foreign Insurer's Argument

HOUSTON - A federal judge has remanded a declaratory judgment action filed by Air Liquide America against several of the company's excess insurers after determining that the foreign insurer that removed the case to federal court was never named in the complaint. Air Liquide America, L.P., et al. v. United States Fire Insurance Co., et al., No. 04-2126 (S.D. Texas).

Judge Nancy K. Johnson of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas ruled Jan. 6 that the federal court dose not have jurisdiction over the lawsuit because Irish insurer Icarom failed to show that it was even …