Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District / Date unavailable
Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's London vs. Northrop Grumman Corporation, et al.; Certain Other London Market Insurance Companies and Employer's Insurance Company of Wausau
Northrop Grumman Corporation appealed a judgment finding that multiple insurance companies did not have a duty to defend or indemnify it in a class action lawsuit. The underlying class action alleged negligence, nuisance, and trespass related to TCE contamination originating from a site previously owned by Litton Industries, which Northrop acquired. The appellate court affirmed the circuit court's grant of summary judgment, concluding that the claims in the class action lawsuit were based on Northrop's actions or inactions decades after the insurance policies' coverage periods expired, and therefore, no potential for coverage existed.