James J. Reeves II

Partner with Melchiode Marks King.

Reported Decisions/Slip Opinions:

10.1.19

Reeves Prevails on Coverage Motion for Summary Judgment:

MMK lawyer James J. Reeves II prevails on insurance coverage summary judgment:

Reeves represented Evanston Insurance Company in the matter of KATHY ELLERBE and BILLY ELLERBE, SR. v. UNKNOWN INSURANCE COMPANY A et al., Case No. 89,282-A for the 10th Judicial Circuit of Louisiana, Natchitoches, LA. In that case, an employee of Evanston's insured was attacked by a German Shepherd on the insured's premises. The insured was not sued, nor was any employee of the insured named a defendant in the lawsuit. Reeves moved for summary judgment on behalf of his client arguing that there was no coverage as no insured had been sued, and that even if an insured were sued, the “Employer's Liability” and "Worker's Compensation" exclusions expressly precluded coverage for bodily injury to an employee of the insured arising out of and in the course of employment by the insured. The motion was orally argued in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana.

The Court agreed that (a) there was no coverage as no insured had been sued and (b) even if an insured were a defendant, the exclusions of the policy would have precluded coverage. The Court dismissed Evanston from the lawsuit, and taxed costs on the plaintiffs.

Full decision available here: https://bit.ly/2FqONET