Finding Coverage in the Chaos
Where Intent Meets Accident
Every case is different in personal injury law, and the most unusual ones are sometimes the most memorable. One I’m working on right now involves an injury that happened during what started as an assault. At first glance, you might assume there’s no way to recover damages in a situation like that. Most people believe insurance never applies when an intentional act is involved, but that’s not always true. In New York, homeowner’s insurance policies generally exclude coverage for intentional or criminal acts. However, the situation becomes less clear when someone is injured by accident during one of those incidents. The key question is whether the injury was intentional or simply happened in the middle of another event. That difference can completely change whether coverage applies or not.
Consider this scenario: You’re at someone’s house and a fight breaks out. You aren’t part of it, but you get hurt while trying to move out of the way. The person who caused the injury didn’t mean to harm you directly. Under certain circumstances, that injury might be covered by the homeowner’s insurance policy. Courts understand that not every injury connected to an assault is the result of intentional harm, but you need to be careful in how you present the case. That’s why preparation is important. In the case I’m handling now, our client was hurt during an altercation, but wasn’t the intended target. By focusing the claim on the negligent act rather than the assault itself, we kept the insurance company from disclaiming coverage outright. The case is currently ongoing, but our client now has a
legitimate path to recovery that might not have existed otherwise.
If you ever find yourself injured in a chaotic situation like this, it’s critical to talk with an attorney before giving statements or testifying. The way a case is framed can make all the difference between receiving compensation and being left with nothing. SUDOKU
Crispy Prosciutto and Cheese Sliders
Ingredients • 3 oz thinly sliced prosciutto • 1 package dinner rolls, halved lengthwise • 1/4 cup fig preserves • 3/4 cup shredded fontina cheese • 3/4 cup shredded Swiss cheese
• 1/2 cup melted butter • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce • 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme • 2 chopped garlic cloves • Black pepper, to taste
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 F. 2. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, arrange prosciutto and bake for 8–10 minutes. 3. On a separate lined baking sheet, place the bottom halves of the rolls and spread fig preserves over them. 4. Layer with fontina and Swiss cheese. Top with crispy prosciutto. 5. Place the top half of the rolls over the prosciutto and gently press down. 6. In a bowl, mix butter, Dijon, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, garlic, and black pepper. 7. Pour butter mixture over rolls. Cover with foil and bake 10 minutes. 8. Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes, and separate before serving.
Inspired by HalfBakedHarvest.com
516-800-8000 3
Published by Newsletter Pro • NewsletterPro.com
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator