AMICUS AI
Citation Codes
Equivalent Citations
citation codes
Are you a practicing lawyer?
Enhance your digital presence and reach by creating a Casemine profile.
Upload pleading to use the new AI search
Cites
Cited by
Citation Codes
Equivalent Citations
citation codes

COMMUNITY HOSPITAL AT GLEN COVE, Respondent, v. AMERICAN HOME ASSURANCE COMPANY, Appellant.

Ordered that the order and judgment is affirmed, with costs.

We agree with the Supreme Court that the general liability policy issued to the plaintiff hospital requires the defendant carrier to defend and indemnify with respect to the underlying claim alleging negligence in the hospital's hiring, training and supervision of a physician accused of sexually abusing a patient. An examination of the policy establishes that the foregoing claim falls within the policy's coverage provisions and is not exempted in clear and unmistakable language by the exclusionary endorsements relied upon by the carrier. Significantly, it has been held that "before an insurance company is permitted to avoid policy coverage, it must satisfy the burden which it bears of establishing that the exclusions or exemptions apply in the particular case * * * and that they are subject to no other reasonable interpretation" (Seaboard Sur. Co. v Gillette Co., 64 N.Y.2d 304, 311; see, International Paper Co. v Continental Cas. Co., 35 N.Y.2d 322, 325; AFA Protective Sys. v. Atlantic Mut. Ins. Co., 157 A.D.2d 683, 685). Our review of the record reveals that the defendant has failed to discharge its burden in this respect.

Moreover, the defendant's further assertion that the negligent hiring claim constituted a "medical incident" which was covered, if at all, by a previously lapsed professional liability portion of the policy is similarly without merit. Although the definition of a "medical incident" under the foregoing provisions includes, inter alia, acts or omissions arising out of the "furnishing of professional health care services", it cannot be said that the hospital's alleged negligence in hiring, supervising and training the physician in question arises out of the rendition of such professional services or that a review of the policy in its entirety evinces an intent to provide coverage for such a claim solely as a "medical incident" under the formerly applicable hospital liability segment of the policy.

We have reviewed the defendant's remaining contentions and find them to be without merit. Bracken, J.P., Kooper, Harwood and Balletta, JJ., concur.

Use AI to get other relevant cases.

Comments

COMMUNITY HOSP. AT GLEN COVE v. AM. HOME
(Mar 4, 1991)