This is the property of the Daily Journal Corporation and fully protected by copyright. It is made available only to Daily Journal subscribers for personal or collaborative purposes and may not be distributed, reproduced, modified, stored or transferred without written permission. Please click "Reprint" to order presentation-ready copies to distribute to clients or use in commercial marketing materials or for permission to post on a website. and copyright (showing year of publication) at the bottom.
Subscribe to the Daily Journal for access to Daily Appellate Reports, Verdicts, Judicial Profiles and more...

Insurance

Feb. 19, 2026

Judge slams both sides, denying summary judgment in fire insurance dispute

A magistrate judge signaled he would deny summary judgment to both sides in a bad-faith insurance suit over 2020's Glass Fire damage, criticizing attorneys for overreaching and urging settlement before trial.

Judge slams both sides, denying summary judgment in fire insurance dispute
U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph C. Spero

U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph C. Spero said Wednesday he would deny summary judgment to both parties in a lawsuit over Federal Insurance Company's handling of payouts to policyholders whose property was damaged in 2020's Glass Fire in Northern California.

Spero criticized the lawyers representing both sides for exaggerating and throwing too many arguments at him, hoping one would stick.

"Both sides have taken the scorched earth approach in this litigation. ......

To continue reading, please subscribe.
For only $95 a month (the price of 2 article purchases)
Receive unlimited article access and full access to our archives,
Daily Appellate Report, award winning columns, and our
Verdicts and Settlements.
Or
$895, but save $100 when you subscribe today… Just $795 for the first year!

Or access this article for $45
(Purchase provides 7-day access to this article. Printing, posting or downloading is not allowed.)

Already a subscriber?

Enewsletter Sign-up