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Panel advances insurer‑defendant bill after hours of debate over jury prejudice and court rules
Summary
S4499, which would permit insurers to be named in certain liability suits, was released with amendments after insurers warned of jury prejudice and plaintiffs' lawyers and consumer advocates argued naming insurers increases transparency when carriers effectively control litigation.
The Senate Commerce Committee released S4499 on May 22 after extended testimony from insurers, trial lawyers and business groups about whether insurers should be named as defendants in some liability lawsuits.
Sponsor supporters and trial‑lawyer groups argued that when an insurer controls litigation or refuses to pay uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) claims, jurors should know the full list of parties who are substantively involved. Adam Letterman of the New Jersey Association for Justice said the bill would "end the…
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