The Supreme Court of New Jersey affirmed that an insurer is not obligated to defend an insured when none of the claims against that insured could lead to coverage. The case is Rodriguez v. Shelbourne Spring, LLC, 2024 N.J. LEXIS 1173 (N.J. 2024).

Dionicio Rodriguez sought workers compensation benefits after he was injured at work. His employer, SIR Electric LLC, had a combination Workers Compensation (Part 1) and Employer’s Liability (Part 2) policy that had been issued by Hartford Underwriters. Rodriguez also filed a personal injury suit against SIR, alleging his injuries had been the result of SIR’s negligence, recklessness, and even intentional wrongdoing.