Liberty Mutual’s Request for Recusal Denied by New Jersey Judge

A New Jersey federal judge denied a Liberty Mutual unit’s request for him to step aside from an insurance dispute, rejecting the company’s argument that the judge had an appearance of bias because he’s a longtime Liberty Mutual policyholder.

Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Co. was sued by United Rentals Inc. for coverage in an underlying suit over a construction accident. After several rulings in United Rentals’ favor, Liberty Mutual asked District Judge Stanley R. Chesler in the US District Court for the District of New Jersey to recuse himself over his policies and recent claims with the insurer.

Liberty Mutual ...