Berkley Insurance Unit Gets Early Win in Gas Company Injury Row

A federal court declined to toss or pause a lawsuit brought by a W.R. Berkley Corp. unit over insurance coverage for an underlying negligence suit against a natural gas company.

“The federal declaratory action would serve some useful purpose,” the US District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma found, denying the defendants’ motion to dismiss or stay the case in a Tuesday order.

Admiral Insurance Co. sued in December 2023, asking the court to clarify whether it owed legal defense costs and a possible judgment in the underlying lawsuit.

An employee of Admiral’s policyholder—Utilitec LLC—was severely injured while working ...