Federal Judge Finds No Basis To Remand Or Dismiss Coverage Suits

HONOLULU - Because claims for bad faith damages alleged against an insurer by its insureds provide an independent basis for federal diversity jurisdiction, a Hawaii federal judge on June 2 refused to remand the insureds' suit seeking damages for the insurer's denial of coverage for claims arising out of the discharge of pollutants (Hartford Underwriters Insurance Co. v. Garth H. Masters, et al., Nos. 10-629, 11-174, D. Hawaii.; 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 59306). Full story on lexis.com