Insurance & Tort Litigation

The Donovan Hatem Insurance & Tort Litigation Group brings a comprehensive scope of general liability litigation experience.

The Donovan Hatem Insurance & Tort Litigation Group brings a comprehensive scope of general liability litigation experience that encompasses liability assessment, contract disputes, coverage and excess exposure, unfair and deceptive acts and practices, settlement negotiation, mediation/arbitration, and trials and appeals in state and federal courts throughout New England. The group defends businesses, corporations, professional associations, and individuals in complex and often high exposure tort claims involving general negligence, product defects, premises liability, motor vehicle negligence, construction defects and employment torts. Our Insurance & Tort Litigation Group also advises insureds and insurers on assessment of liability, damages exposure, and settlement claims valuation.

The group’s highly experienced and successful trial attorneys serve clients in all manner of civil litigation in state and federal courts, as well as before federal, state, and municipal administrative agencies. The Group’s attorneys brief and argue appeals at all levels and are accomplished in alternative dispute resolution, including mediation, arbitration, and summary trials.

A substantial portion of the group’s work is dedicated to serving the insurance industry. The group’s attorneys focus on providing a full range of litigation and advisory expertise to insureds and insurers. The group also handles insurance regulatory matters on behalf of self-insureds, agents, third-party administrators, and others.

Donovan Hatem LLP’s Insurance and Tort Litigation Group represents national and international insurance companies directly in insurance coverage and extra contractual liability cases involving insureds, claimants, or other insurers. The Group’s attorneys are prominent leaders in many insurance defense organizations, including C.P.C.U., the American Bar Association, Massachusetts Bar Association, Defense Research Institute, Federation of Insurance and Corporate Counsel, International Defense Attorneys’ Association, and Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association.

The Insurance & Tort Litigation Group areas of practice include:

  • Insurance Litigation 
    Representing insureds and self-insureds in the defense of general negligence, premises liability, automobile, homeowners and commercial liability claims. Preparing insurance coverage opinions and litigating declaratory judgment actions to resolve coverage disputes. Representing insurers in bad faith, unfair claims settlement practice and consumer protection claims.  Representing life and health insurers in benefit and coverage disputes.
  • Insurance Regulatory Matters 
    Advising insurance carriers and producers with respect to licensing and other regulatory matters. Representation before the Massachusetts Division of Insurance and other states’ insurance departments. Governmental relations.
  • Products Liability 
    Defending domestic and international manufacturers, retailers and distributors of products including: hospital equipment and medical devices, industrial machinery and processes, industrial chemicals, protective clothing, gas products, pharmaceuticals, construction equipment, automotive parts, computers, gas and fire detection devices, household products and asbestos.
  • Construction Litigation 
    Representing the construction industry in the defense of a broad range of actions involving general negligence claims, construction site accidents, contract, insurance coverage, and indemnity issues.
  • Arbitration/Mediation 
    Representing clients before all manner of arbitration and mediation forums to resolve business, contract, insurance coverage and general litigation disputes.
  • Personal Injury
    Defending against all manner of personal injury, wrongful death, and employment tort claims.

Donovan Hatem LLP also handles cases involving toxic tort, aviation law, fidelity bond disputes, advertising injury, and other general litigation matters.