Judge Sets "Occurrence" Measure for Priest Abuse Cases

By Jeff Sistrunk
Law360
March 30, 2017

https://www.law360.com/articles/908272/judge-sets-occurrence-measure-for-priest-abuse-cases

Law360, Los Angeles (March 30, 2017, 7:36 PM EDT) -- A Minnesota bankruptcy judge held Thursday that each series of abusive acts that a priest inflicted on one victim in a given year is a separate "occurrence" for insurance coverage purposes, ruling in favor of the Diocese of Duluth in its dispute over coverage for sexual abuse claims against local clergy.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert J. Kressel granted partial summary judgment to the diocese, establishing a standard by which to determine the number of occurrences at issue in the coverage case. The judge did not address...