Public Service Mutual Insurance Co. v. Goldfarb
Court of Appeals of New York
425 N.E.2d 810 (1981)
Relevant factsFree
Dentist Goldfarb (defendant), insured for professional liability by Public Service Mutual (plaintiff), was criminally convicted of sexually abusing a patient and separately faced a civil suit for compensatory and punitive damages arising from the same conduct; Public Service Mutual sought a declaratory judgment on its coverage obligations, given the policy's coverage of injuries (including from assault) arising during professional dental services.
IssueFree
Whether an insurance company must provide independent counsel to its insured when multiple claims against the insured present an apparent conflict of interest between the insured and the insurer.