Subrogation

Subrogation successes come from seasoned counsel who know how to build a case and prove a claim. The subrogation attorneys at Robins Kaplan LLP have secured many recoveries on behalf of clients with large, complex subrogation claims. Our 50+ year track record of subrogation recoveries--as well as our longstanding relationships with clients--has earned us a national reputation for excellence.

We fuel our success on courtroom mastery, an in-house staff of investigators, and the relationships we have cultivated over the decades with experts and consultants. These efficiencies also maximize the outcomes we obtain for our clients. As a result, we have become the trusted subrogation counsel for some of the world’s largest insurers.

Selected Case Results*

  • Utah Coal MineRepresented energy industry insurers in subrogation litigation arising from catastrophic roof collapse in coal mine.

  • The Walter J. McCarthy Jr.: Represented ship owner and its insurers in recovery action against dock owner arising out the partial sinking and flooding of the 1,000-foot-long vessel, the Walter J. McCarthy Jr., in the Duluth-Superior Harbor. The jury awarded 100% of the $4.7 million in claimed damages after a trial against the dock owner. 

  • Wisconsin Energy: Represented Wisconsin Electric Power Company and its property insurers and achieved confidential settlements with dam owner, construction firm, and design engineers, arising from the Silver Lake fuse plug failure near Marquette, Michigan. 

  • Hollywood Studio Fire: Obtained $5.8 million settlement for subrogated insurer after winning liability phase of an inverse condemnation trial against electric utility.

  • Olympic Pipeline: Represented several foreign and domestic insurance companies in litigation arising from the Olympic Pipeline rupture and explosion in Bellingham, Washington to recover business interruption and extra expense losses. The subrogation action against the owner and operator of the pipeline settled for a confidential amount a month before trial was scheduled to begin in federal court in Seattle.

  • Dole Subrogation: Recovered over $6.5 million on behalf of Dole Foods, Inc. and Underwriters at Lloyd’s arising out of a fire at Dole’s plant in Yuma, Arizona.

  • LaGrange, Georgia Fire: Recovery of over $99 million on behalf of property insurer and policy holder for fire.

  • IRI/Malette: Obtained settlement in international arbitration of subrogation claim brought after fire against German manufacturer.

  • Kentucky Utility Company Turbine Fire: Recovery following disastrous failure of turbine generator.

  • Americold Fire: Multi-million dollar recovery from fire in 360-acre underground food warehouse for subrogated insurers and food companies.

  • Taiwan Fire: Multi-million dollar subrogation recovery for computer manufacturing plant damages.

  • Northwestern (now Wells Fargo) Bank Fire: Multi-million dollar recovery for bank and subrogated carrier in Minneapolis fire.

  • New York Explosion: Obtained multi-million dollar subrogation recovery for explosion of anechoic chamber during testing.

  • Chicago Flood: Multi-million dollar subrogation recovery for department stores and their insurers.

  • Feather River and Yuba River Flooding: Obtained verdicts on behalf of subrogated insurers and against public entities for multi-million dollar flood losses in Northern California.
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    * Past results are reported to provide the reader with an indication of the type of litigation we practice. They do not and should not be construed to create an expectation of result in any other case, as all cases are dependent upon their own unique fact situation and applicable law.

    Scott G. Johnson

    Partner

    Chair, Minneapolis Insurance Group

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