Claims Against Architectural Firm Fell Under Professional Services Exclusion Based on Allegations of Underlying Complaints

Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo, Inc. v. Travelers Prop. Cas. Co., 2008 WL 2357863 (D.N.J. June 5, 2008)

In this case, plaintiff architectural firm sued commercial general liability (CGL) and excess liability insurers seeking damages and a declaratory judgment that insurers had a duty to defend it in the underlying suits, which arose from the collapse of a parking garage designed by plaintiff.  Both insurers denied coverage under provisions that excluded from coverage injuries arising out of plaintiff’s provision of professional services.  Both sides moved for summary judgment.  The court granted summary judgment for the defendants finding that all the claims filed against plaintiff in the wake of the garage collapse fell within the professional services exceptions of both policies, based on the factual pleadings of each of the complaints.