In July 2020, the Michigan Court of Appeals issued Haydaw v Farm Bureau Ins Co (Docket No. 345516), an opinion with significant consequences for insurance companies defending against fraudulent claims. As explained in our earlier blog post, Haydaw held that an insurer can’t rely on an insured’s misrepresentations during discovery to void an insurance policy...

Parties argue about what is “reasonable” in nearly every legal context. The same holds true for no-fault litigation, especially when it comes to personal protection insurance (“PIP”) benefits. While the no-fault act itself and the supporting case law firmly establish that no-fault insurers are only obligated to pay reasonable charges, the act doesn’t define “reasonable.”...

In Duckworth v Cherokee Ins Co, ___ Mich App ___ ;___ NW2d ___ (2020) (Docket No. 347865), the Court of Appeals analyzed whether James Duckworth was an employee or independent contractor of Speed Express, LLC, to resolve a priority dispute between Speed Express’s no-fault insurer and Duckworth’s personal no-fault insurer. The Court held that trial...

In Redmond v Heller, ___ Mich App ___; ___ NW2d ___ (2020) (Docket No. 347505), the Michigan Court of Appeals held that several statements made on the internet about a funeral home and its staff constituted defamation per se. In other words, the internet isn’t quite the freewheeling “Wild West” as is often depicted. You...

Under the doctrine of equitable subrogation, a person who pays a debt primarily owed by a third party (the subrogee) is substituted in the place of the person for whom the debt is paid (the subrogor). The subrogee can then enforce the subrogor’s rights to obtain reimbursement from the responsible third party. In Esurance Prop...

In Life Skills Village, PLLC  v Nationwide Mut Fire Ins Co, ___ Mich App ___; ___ NW2d ___ (2019) (Docket No. 345237), the Court of Appeals emphasized the highly factual nature of determining whether a facility provides adult foster care services that trigger Michigan licensure requirements. The published opinion is important for ascertaining whether residential...

In Meemic Ins Co v Fortson, ___ Mich ___; ___ NW2d ___ (2020) (Docket No. 158302), released July 29, 2020, the Michigan Supreme Court held that the antifraud provision in Meemic Insurance Company’s no-fault policy was invalid and unenforceable as applied to coverage mandated by the no-fault act. The antifraud provision failed because it was...

Since the Michigan Supreme Court released its Covenant opinion[1] in 2017, Michigan courts have issued inconsistent decisions regarding a medical provider’s rights under an assignment after the assignor settles his claim for no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) benefits. The Michigan Court of Appeals heeded the calls for direction on this issue and approved Physiatry and...

It may be summer, but the consequences of wintertime fun are likely manifesting themselves now as legal claims. Michigan registers one of the highest numbers of snowmobilers in the country, second only to Wisconsin. Nearly 6,500 miles of State-groomed snowmobile trails cover the middle and northern parts of Michigan. In fact, in some parts of...

In early July 2020, the Michigan Court of Appeals held in Haydaw v Farm Bureau Ins Co, ___ Mich App __; ___ NW2d ___ (2020) (Docket No. 345516), that an insurer can’t rely on an insured’s misrepresentations during discovery to void an insurance policy under a fraud provision. Haydaw preserves insurers’ ability to void policies...

Introduction The amendments to Michigan’s no-fault act were filed with the Secretary of State on June 11, 2019. At that time, certain changes went into effect immediately. However, the Legislature set a later effective date for the most impactful amendments. The second phase of reform went into effect on July 2, 2020. Here’s what you...

In MemberSelect Ins Co v Flesher, ___ Mich App ___; ___ NW2d ___ (2020) (Docket No. 348571), the Michigan Court of Appeals considered the insurable-interest requirement for auto policies. It held that Kelly Fetzer had a sufficient interest in her adult son’s well-being to support her insurance policy, which covered a vehicle owned by and registered to...

Collins Einhorn Farrell is pleased to announce the launch of Driving Forward, a blog discussing the latest issues impacting automotive and general liability law.  The attorneys from our General and Automotive Liability practice group have obtained excellent results throughout the State of Michigan, and will be providing their perspectives on various legal issues.  The blog will...