Hazardous Products/Toxic Torts Coverage Litigation & Counseling

We litigate coverage disputes arising out of a variety of product liability claims, including Agent Orange, tobacco, latex gloves, heart valves, breast implants, welding rods, lead paint, benzene, and many more. 

We devise strategies and arguments addressing a broad spectrum of complex coverage issues, including trigger and scope of coverage, fortuity, retrospective premiums, notice, and the meaning and intent of various exclusions.

Our practice in this area also includes a substantial amount of complex business and settlement negotiations, counseling, mediations and other ADR proceedings.  

Representative Matters

• Pope v. Econ. Fire & Cas. Co., 779 N.E.2d 461 (Ill. Ct. App. 2002), leave to appeal denied, 787 N.E.2d 181 (Ill. 2003)
• G.E. Tignall & Co., Inc. v. Reliance Nat’l Ins. Co., 102 F. Supp. 2d 300 (D. Md. 2000)
• Liggett Group Inc. v. ACE Prop. & Cas. Ins. Co., 798 A.2d 1024 (Del. 2002) 

Noteworthy

• Courts Rule on Product, Tobacco Exclusions for Liggett Group
• Steptoe Obtains Summary Judgment for Increased Insurance Coverage
• Steptoe Successfully Obtains Judgment from Illinois Court of Appeals