Manning Fulton represents carriers, insureds, and insurance professionals in disputes over what a policy covers and what it requires of each party. Our coverage litigation experience includes disputes over:

• The scope and interpretation of insurance policy language
• The rights and obligations of insurers and insureds under a wide variety of policy types
• Coverage determinations affecting both first-party and third-party claims

When more than one insurance policy may apply to the same loss or claim, determining which policy responds and in what order can itself become a significant dispute. Manning Fulton represents clients in:

• “Other insurance” clause disputes — resolving conflicts that arise when multiple policies contain competing or overlapping coverage provisions
• Equitable subrogation disputes — representing carriers in disputes among insurers over the allocation of defense and indemnity costs for a shared loss

When the dispute moves beyond what a policy covers and into how a claim was handled, the exposure and the stakes increase significantly. Manning Fulton represents clients in disputes involving extra-contractual damages relating to claims handling and the defense of insureds under their policies, including:

• Bad faith claims — allegations that an insurer acted unreasonably or in bad faith in handling, investigating, or denying a claim
• Unfair claims handling practices — claims arising from how an insurer processed, investigated, or communicated about a claim
• Unfair trade practice claims — claims tied to the denial or partial denial of coverage, brought under North Carolina’s unfair and deceptive trade practices statutes
• Delay in claims handling — claims alleging unreasonable delay in the investigation or payment of a covered claim
• Failure to settle claims — claims alleging an insurer failed to settle within policy limits when it had the opportunity to do so, potentially exposing the insured to excess liability

Manning Fulton maintains a strong reputation for its aggressive defense of professionals facing liability claims. We understand what is at stake when a professional’s livelihood, license, and reputation are on the line — and our philosophy is simple: the best defense is a good offense.

Our trial attorneys have defended professionals against claims of negligence and fraud in state and federal courts, as well as before professional licensing boards. We regularly represent:

• Physicians and other healthcare providers
• Attorneys
• Insurance agents
• Real estate agents
• Appraisers
• Tradesmen across a wide range of licensed trades

Whether the claim is a civil lawsuit, an errors and omissions (E&O) insurance matter, or a licensing board complaint, Manning Fulton brings the same aggressive, strategic defense to every professional liability matter we handle. Our track record defending professionals against these claims speaks for itself.