Lloyd’s underwriters “looking at Conrad Murray conviction"
Lloyd’s underwriters are examining the impact Dr Conrad Murray’s manslaughter conviction for Michael Jackson’s death will have on their legal battle with AEG Live.
08 Dec 2011
By Chinwe Akomah The promoters for the popstar's London "This Is It" concerts have filed an insurance claim under the non-appearance and cancellation policy.
Although the insurers, which includes Talbot, are not aware of any "determinative of the many and varied coverage issues to be decided in the insurance litigation" at the present time, a spokesman said they had not ruled it out.
They added: "The impact of the Dr Conrad Murray criminal trial and verdict is being considered by the underwriters."
When Jackson died in June 2009, "This Is It" tour promoter AEG Live filed a claim for a multi-million payout, but the underwriters, including Talbot, are repudiating the claim, citing the singer's prior drug use, and launched an investigation into the claim.
The spokesman continued: "As part of their investigation into the claim, they sought necessary information, documentation and witness statements from AEG and others to enable them to reach a coverage determination."
The underwriters lodged a complaint and requested declaratory relief in order to secure the court's assistance in obtaining information to determine whether the claim was covered. The dispute is now in litigation.
The court recently ruled to deny the estate of Michael Jackson's motion to bar underwriters from subpoenaing his medical records.
"The underwriters are hopeful that this ruling and the information that comes from it, together with additional evidence and testimony, will enable the court to determine whether the claim is covered and/or whether the policy should be rescinded for misrepresentations and non disclosures regarding Mr Jackson's prior drug use, among other things," the spokesman explained.
As reported on Postonline, a source said Jackson did not complete all the medical tests required of him for policy cover.
Murray is reported to be appealing his conviction.
http://www.postonline.co.uk/post/news/2131057/lloyd-s-underwriters-looking-conrad-murray-conviction
