Appellate judges sided with an insurance company against the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians in a case seeking payout for losses related to COVID-19.
The Second District Court of Appeal sided with Lexington Insurance Co. after the Chumash filed a lawsuit in May 2020 for denial of insurance coverage under a business interruption provision.
“We conclude, among other things, that Chumash did not present sufficient evidence to show that the COVID-19 virus caused physical property damage to its casino and resort so as to fall within the property damage coverage provisions of the Lexington insurance policy,” the opinion by Presiding Justice Arthur Gilbert stated.
Justices Kenneth Yegan and Hernaldo Baltodano concurred.
