Hatch v. First American Title Insurance

William and Melissa Hatch (plaintiffs) bought title insurance from First American Title Insurance (defendant) for their Rowley home; the policy barred claims if First American cleared any title defects within a reasonable time, and separately barred claims during pending litigation over the title until a court ruled on the defect. When a buyer for the Hatches' home discovered a defective title (an outdated cattle-grazing easement), First American sued to clear title, but the Land Court took over five years to rule in the Hatches' favor. By then their planned sale had collapsed, and they had incurred extra loan interest financing a new home. The Hatches sued First American for breach of contract, and First American moved for summary judgment.