Motorola successfully obtains affirmation of judgment in case involving clean room claims
Client(s) Motorola Solutions, Inc.
Jones Day successfully represented Motorola Solutions, Inc. in insurance coverage litigation in Cook County, Illinois arising from "clean room" cases asserted against Motorola. In these cases, former workers at Motorola manufacturing facilities claim that their children were injured by alleged exposure to toxic substances in clean rooms used in chip manufacturing operations. Two of Motorola's insurers, Zurich and Fireman's Fund, asserted that Motorola had released coverage for all toxic tort claims (more than $100 million in coverage) in 2003 settlement agreements; Motorola asserted that it had released coverage only for toxic tort claims arising from environmental exposures. After finding the settlement agreements ambiguous, the court scheduled a trial on this issue. In 2015, the insurers appealed. The Illinois Appeals court, in a detailed 58-page opinion, affirmed the trial court judgment in all respects.
Pete Laun and Matt Divelbiss (Pittsburgh Office) and Jim White (Chicago Office) tried the case to Judge Daniel Pierce in December 2012. The trial resulted in a complete win for Motorola; the court found that Motorola had not released coverage for all toxic tort claims, including claims involving clean rooms. Jack Montgomery and Allison Parker (Pittsburgh Office) also provided assistance in preparing for trial. In 2015, the trial and appeal were handled by Pete Laun and Matt Divelbiss (Pittsburgh Office) and Jim White (Chicago Office).
Motorola Solutions, Inc. v. Continental Casualty Company et al., No. 11-L-1902 (Cir. Ct. Cook Cty., Ill.)
