Rory Eric. Jurman | Attorney | Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP

Rory Eric Jurman

Partner

"Relentless in defense. Turning the toughest disputes into decisive wins."

954-375-1141

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Rory Eric Jurman

Partner

"Relentless in defense. Turning the toughest disputes into decisive wins."

954-375-1141

Email cmp1cm1hbkBoaW5zaGF3bGF3LmNvbQ==

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About Rory

Rory Eric Jurman is one of the nation’s most sought-after defense and coverage trial lawyers, recognized for protecting insurers and self-insureds from billions in potential exposure. A Chambers USA Band 1-ranked litigator and member of Hinshaw’s Executive Committee, Rory serves as lead counsel in complex bad faith, coverage, and catastrophic loss cases in state and federal courts across the country. A go-to resource for defense, coverage, bad faith, and extra-contractual matters, he advises on nearly every type of general, excess, umbrella, commercial general liability (CGL), directors and officers (D&O), employment, healthcare, and professional liability policy.

Serving as lead counsel in complex bench and jury trials across the United States, Rory has achieved results that have attracted widespread national and international media recognition. He has served as coverage and defense counsel for abuse, medical malpractice, and product liability matters involving life sciences companies, national hospital systems, behavioral health providers, and nursing facilities. He has also litigated matters of first impression, helping shape key areas of insurance law and contributing to numerous published decisions.

Rory and his team have earned numerous accolades, including the Daily Business Review’s "Insurance Litigation Department of the Year – Midsize Firms." Rory has also been twice named a "Most Effective Lawyer" by the publication, and is a Chambers USA Band 1-ranked litigator in Insurance Dispute Resolution.

Areas of Focus

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Experience

Obtained a defense verdict on behalf of a luxury resort and spa arising from a wrongful death claim involving premises liability. The verdict was upheld on appeal.
Secured a summary judgment win on behalf of an insurance client in a highly contested $3 million sublimit coverage case. At issue was the application of an excess liability policy which the client had issued to its insured, a hotel operator. The insured was seeking coverage for claims stemming from an assault and murder that occurred on its property. Under the policy, coverage was excluded for claims that were subject to a sublimit of liability under the primary policy. Hinshaw prevailed in a summary judgment decision that provides much needed clarity for carriers regarding judicial interpretation on the definition of "sublimit of liability."
Obtained affirmation of summary judgment on appeal in a ruling by the Eleventh Circuit. Hinshaw represented the client in the appellate proceedings.
Obtained summary judgment on behalf of an insurer regarding its duty to defend a claim arising from a third-party data breach. The decision was a significant victory for the insurance industry, as it clarified that data breaches perpetrated by third parties do not constitute personal injury resulting from the insured's business activities.
Obtained a successful resolution after four weeks of trial arising from a double wrongful death matter.

Obtained a successful resolution on the eve of trial in a matter involving consent judgment.
Won summary judgment on behalf of an insurer in a matter arising out of the theft of a vehicle and two wrongful death claims, limiting and defeating eight-figure exposure.
Obtained successful resolution on the eve of trial in a matter involving multiple claimants and insufficient limits.
Obtained a successful resolution on the eve of trial in an uninsured/underinsured motorist-related bad faith action involving multimillion-dollar exposure.
Obtained a partial defense verdict arising from a products liability claim alleging negligent design or manufacture and for strict liability for design defect. The jury found the defendant only 18% negligent after successfully presenting to the jury a narrative of events and supporting evidence that indicated the plaintiff was significantly more at fault than the defendant.
Obtained a partial defense verdict arising from a motor vehicle accident that allegedly resulted in brain damage to the plaintiff. The jury found the defendant only 20% negligent after successfully winning motions in limine to exclude evidence. The verdict was upheld on appeal.
Secured a settlement significantly below policy limits in a sexual assault case involving an international hotel chain whereby the plaintiff alleged inadequate security, failure to protect guest from foreseeable danger, and breach of privacy in the subsequent handling of the incident.
Won summary judgment as coverage counsel in a cyber-insurance, precedent-setting matter arising from a data breach by third-party hackers. The court ruled that St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co. owed no duty to defend the IT group under the personal injury provisions of its commercial general liability policies.
Won summary judgment as coverage counsel in a precedent-setting matter arising from severe bodily injury and wrongful death claims.Convinced the court that "following form" excess liability coverage is not available above the primary policy’s limits due to a "Limited Assault or Battery Liability Coverage" endorsement.
Won summary judgment as coverage counsel and created favorable precedent for insurers and reinsurers arising from the City of Florida City fraud claims involving issues of retroactive dates, definition of claim, interrelated wrongful acts, notice, and reinsurance interpretation.
Won summary judgment in an aviation crash and breach of pilot warranty matter. The court agreed that the pilot's lack of qualifications excluded coverage.
Successfully resolved as coverage counsel attorney malpractice claims. An adversary proceeding was filed contending there was no coverage due to "related claims" and "interrelated wrongful acts" as well as various exclusions including definition of professional services.
Defended distributor BioGrafts in nationwide "body snatcher" illegal-organ-harvesting fraud class action perpetuated by Michael Mastromarino and involving Regeneration Technologies, Inc. (RTI) in human tissue products liability litigation.
Won summary judgment where the court determined that Hinshaw client, Hanover Insurance, was entitled to a summary judgment of no coverage due to breach of captain warranty and failure to hire a full-time captain as required by the policy.
Won summary judgment as coverage counsel in a precedent-setting matter involving insurer obligations for pre-tender defense costs, and the Florida Claims Administration Statute.
Won summary judgment in a catastrophic vaping matter. Hinshaw was able to succeed on retroactive and pre-existing damage defenses for an insurer.
Won summary judgment on behalf of an insurer in an aviation coverage dispute arising from the theft of an aircraft by possible drug lords and granting summary judgment due to the "conversion exclusion."
Served as coverage counsel in multiple mass torts arising from building explosions, collapses, transportation disasters, toxic tort exposure, and crane collapses, including Champlain Towers (Surfside), FIU Bridge, Escambia County facility, and Shuckers Bar & Grill.
Successfully resolved a wrongful death coverage aviation dispute on behalf of an insurer on the eve of trial which involved issues of policy rescission, breach of pilot warranty, insurance underwriting, and pilot qualifications.
Won summary judgment as coverage counsel in a precedent-setting matter determining no coverage in a FACTA case where there is no "publication."
Successfully acted as coverage counsel in a precedent-setting matter relating to a real estate fraud scheme that resulted in years of litigation and a $40 million consent judgment.
Successfully acted as coverage counsel in a precedent-setting Contravest litigation, a leading Florida construction trigger-of-coverage matter.
Won summary judgment in enforcing the "abuse or molestation" exclusion to coverage.
Served as counsel for Lloyds Syndicates in a year-long arbitration arising out of an insurance policy interpretation dispute concerning Florida Hospital System.
Resolved on the eve of trial a matter involving SPAC litigation and interpretation and enforcement of "60 Day Advancement" endorsement and the "Order of Payments" provision of the policy.
Won summary judgment as coverage counsel in a wrongful death matter involving uninsured/underinsured motorist underwriting and policy renewal issues.
Acted as coverage counsel for an insurer in the Hulk Hogan medical-malpractice litigation resulting in resolution without trial.
Assisted in the successful resolution as coverage counsel for insurer in NFL player Lawrence Tynes’ claim against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Represented the defendant and counter-plaintiff, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (“Freddie Mac”) in a breach of contract cause of action arising from legal services rendered by The Law Offices of David J. Stern, P.A. (“Stern”) against Freddie Mac. In turn, Freddie Mac filed a counterclaim against Stern and asserted various causes of action consisting of legal malpractice, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, negligent misrepresentation, violations of Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade and Practices Act, fraud, and misrepresentation. The matter was highly publicized and reported on in various national media outlets. Ultimately, a resolution was reached which reduced further negative exposure and media attention on the eve of the trial.
Won summary judgment in a matter due to a policy’s plain language, which excluded the alleged illness from coverage despite potential waiver arguments.
Won summary judgment in a matter concerning appraisal and the determination of the value of "covered property."
Handled claims as coverage counsel that involved NFL stadium relocations, player and cheerleader class actions, head injury and concussion litigation, and collective bargaining matters.
Resolved Cardinal Health wrongful death lawsuits as insurer coverage counsel, stemming from a patient’s complications after an allegedly defective vena cava filters (IVC) involving mass-tort claims-made issues, retroactive dates, policy exhaustion, and related acts.
Successfully resolved as coverage counsel year-long failed clinical drug arbitration with potential damages in excess of eight figures and on subsequent appeal.
Served as coverage counsel in ponzi schemes involving Onix Capital.
Spearheaded a global mediation as coverage counsel with hundreds of attorneys resulting in a bar order arising from building explosion, and thereby preventing class actions claims and catastrophic losses in excess of one billion dollars.
Served as defense counsel in "fen-phen" multidistrict litigation (MDL).
Served as defense counsel for a national hospital system.
Acted as defense counsel in a marine matter involving John Travolta’s yacht, Ella Bleu, arising from hurricane damage.
Won summary judgment in a quadriplegic matter arising from a SECURE-C device implant. The legal team argued the plaintiffs could not establish any single purported defect caused the core to forcefully expulse, resulting in the plaintiff’s injury. The court agreed the plaintiffs failed to support the necessary elements of their manufacturing defect claim as a matter of law.
Obtained favorable settlement as coverage counsel for an excess healthcare liability carrier in an action arising from an elderly care facility's resident's alleged wrongful death caused by multiple slip and falls. In contrast, the defense's posture was unfavorable in their care and the projected damages were considerable. The carrier was not apprised of all pending exposures, including False Claims Act claims, by the insured.
Achieved amicable settlement far below estimates as coverage counsel in a high-profile wrongful death matter scrutinized by the media. A staff member allegedly negligently caused the passing, partly by failing to prevent the decedent from engaging in self-injurious behavior and where the decedent was allegedly burned with hot water and subjected to asphyxiation.
Obtained a favorable pre-suit settlement in a multimillion dollar exposure medical malpractice matter arising from complications following an elective aneurism surgery that allegedly caused numerous and significant life-changing impairments, including paraplegia, bilateral leg amputations, and cardiopulmonary arrest.
Obtained a favorable settlement as defense counsel in a multimillion dollar exposure wrongful death lawsuit arising from a diabetic and cardiac patient's anoxic brain injury due to airway obstruction after admission to the surgical floor for treatment of fungal infection on the patient's foot and ankle.
Obtained pre-trial settlement for Torus Insurance Company on highly favorable terms in a multimillion dollar exposure gross negligence action in which a teenage refugee became paralyzed when a Texas hospital staff administered a paralytic drug instead of an antacid.
Represented a hospital's insurance carrier, Torus Insurance Company, in a potential class action matter arising from a nurse's misuse of single-person insulin pens on multiple patients, which in turn fomented rampant fears of blood-borne illness contagions spreading among patients, including Hepatitis-C. The legal team's efforts limited the scope of coverage and assisted the carrier in reserving its rights in the high-damages matter.
Obtained a highly favorable settlement, as excess coverage counsel, in a medical malpractice action for Torus Insurance Company. Applied pressure on underlying carriers to tender policy limits or face near-guaranteed bad faith liability arising from a wrongful refusal to settle concerning a national spinal surgical center.
Obtained a highly favorable settlement as defense counsel to a large national hospital chain in Duval County, Florida, for a behavioral health facility. It was alleged the facility failed to protect a minor child, who was purportedly subjected to sexual abuse and lewd conduct by a fellow patient.
Obtained a favorable settlement on the eve of a summary judgment ruling as defense counsel for a surgical implant manufacturer in a products liability action arising from injuries sustained from allegedly defective and negligently designed/manufactured tack devices that were implanted into the plaintiff's shoulder during surgery. The devices later broke into numerous small pieces and caused subsequent injuries and required additional corrective surgeries.
Advised an excess carrier as to coverage and defense obligations in connection with multiple lawsuits brought by dentists, dental practices, and the State of Texas related to potential Medicaid fraud stemming from alleged rubberstamping of authorization requests where applications did not meet Medicaid requirements.
Obtained an amicable settlement representing QBE in a first-party bad faith action arising from QBE’s alleged failure to properly investigate, adjust, and pay damages caused by Hurricane Wilma. According to the complaint, QBE engaged in a general business practice of bad faith by, among other things, using experts that routinely opined that damages fell below policy deductibles irrespective of the facts and by failing to comply with all provisions of the Florida Insurance Code and the Florida Administrative Code. The lawsuit sought punitive damages. After contentious litigation involving discovery disputes and motions to eliminate the plaintiff’s punitive damages request, the parties entered into an amicable settlement.
Obtained a favorable settlement at a global mediation as coverage counsel in an action arising from a multimillion-dollar auto negligence suit in which the carrier faced bad faith exposure in connection with its purported wrongful denial of defense and indemnity obligations caused by the insured's late notice and lack of cooperation.
Advised a healthcare umbrella carrier as to coverage and defense obligations in connection with a medical-malpractice wrongful-death matter stemming from an alleged failure to diagnose and treat the patient decedent for a stroke.
Won a defense verdict arising from a $13 million excess judgment.
Obtained favorable settlement as coverage and bad faith counsel at a mediation in connection with a high exposure medical malpractice lawsuit related to alleged wrongdoing in treating a urinary tract infection.
Disposed of a $30 million judgment after filing a preemptive declaratory judgment action in federal court, reaching an amicable settlement in an amount less than the policy limits.
Resolved a matter on the eve of trial acting as bad faith and coverage counsel to an insurer involving a cast member of The Real Housewives of Miami.
Enforced a policy tender and full settlement in a quadriplegic matter involving an insurer.
Achieved an extremely favorable policy limits acceptance acting as extra- contractual counsel to a carrier for physician defendants in a pediatric critical care medical malpractice lawsuit, in which a minor allegedly contracted MRSA and sustained permanent injuries and numerous health complications due to physician negligence. The legal team achieved favorable policy limits acceptance following contentious litigation and settlement negotiations, during which underlying damages were estimated to exceed the policy limits by magnitudes.
Obtained a highly favorable global settlement of all claims, as excess carrier coverage counsel, for a fraction of the potential exposure and excess arbitration award in a complex declaratory judgment action arising from the wrongful death of a resident at a senior living facility in which issues of notice compliance, policy exhaustion, and bad faith impacted all aspects of the litigation and settlement.
Obtained pre-trial settlement for a fraction of the multimillion-dollar demand on behalf of client, QBE Insurance Corporation, in a bad faith action brought by a condominium association. Through the legal team's efforts, portions of the claim were dismantled piece-by-piece and a strong "general business practice" discovery-bar order was obtained that minimized the claim's value.
Obtained a highly favorable settlement on behalf of GEICO Indemnity Company in a third-party bad faith action founded on an alleged improper claim handling in an underlying tort lawsuit. After the legal team obtained an order significantly narrowing the scope and, in turn, diminishing the claim's value, the plaintiff agreed to settle for an amount considerably below the original demand.
Acted as bad faith counsel on behalf of client National General Insurance Company in an action arising from a serious “T-bone” motor vehicle crash that resulted in multiple-claimant injuries, including a passenger becoming tetraplegic, in which liability was hotly contested and policy limits were insufficient. The legal team's guidance contributed to an amicable settlement made during the underlying tort trial, which shielded the carrier from facing potentially eight-figure bad faith exposure.
Obtained a dismissal of a bad faith claim in an action involving stipulated final judgment on the grounds of lack of jurisdiction.
Obtained an amicable settlement in a bad faith declaratory judgment action arising from a failure to settle the claim in which policy limits were rejected because hospital lienholder payee was allegedly incorrectly included in the tender check.
Obtained an amicable pre-trial settlement as coverage counsel in a contentious, high exposure medical malpractice action arising from alleged spinal surgery mishaps.
Obtained a successful resolution in a bad faith action arising from an alleged claim mishandling in which there was no reasonable opportunity to settle for policy limits and the carrier was provided limited information in an attempt to set up a bad faith claim.
Obtained a successful resolution of a bad faith action on behalf of California Casualty Insurance Company arising from a vehicle crash causing catastrophic injuries, multiple claimants, insufficient limits, and involving five complicated mediations.
Obtained a successful resolution of a medical malpractice claim on behalf of Torus Insurance Company, arising from alleged negligence during a cervical spinal procedure. The legal team crafted arguments under theories of confession of judgment, promissory estoppel, and broker liability to secure contribution from the carrier that claimed its policy did not provide coverage.
Acted as coverage counsel for Hallmark Specialty Insurance Company in connection with a matter arising from a patient's significant complications caused by stem cell injections into the patient's knees, which included an E. coli infection, subsequent hospitalization, and corrective surgery. Among other aspects of the claim, the stem cell product was not approved by the FDA and was voluntarily recalled before the injections occurred.
Served as coverage and bad faith counsel for a carrier in connection with complex federal and related state court action seeking injunctions against a stem cell manufacturer and others allegedly adulterated and misbranded drugs were purportedly outside the FDA's scope of jurisdiction and oversight.
Obtained a successfully resolution on the eve of trial where the legal team acted as coverage counsel in trademark and trade dress claims arising from J&J SURGICEL® products.
Obtained a dismissal and transfer as coverage counsel in a matter arising from J&J brand of blood glucose test strips marketed under the trade name "OneTouch Ultra."
Served as defense counsel in Ethicon® suture litigation.
Won summary judgment as coverage counsel in "advertising injury" dispute arising from breach of contract claims asserted by Office Depot. for certain underwriters at Lloyd’s on a matter arising from insured’s alleged theft and IP dispute, by applying advertising liability exclusion to thereby limit exposure from a $19 million judgment.
Secured a complete win for a Hong Kong-based creditor in a Florida district court. The court ruled in favor of our client, awarding over $575,000 against the debtor's attorney and more than $8.3 million against their client. The debtor and their attorney failed to move to vacate the awards within the three-month limitation period specified under the Federal Arbitration Act.

Recognition

The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation, 2023 – 2026
Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Insurance: Dispute Resolution – Florida, Band 2, 2017 – 2024; Band 1, 2025
Daily Business Review, Professional Excellence Awards, Insurance Litigation Department of the Year - Midsize Firms, Winner, 2019; Most Effective Lawyers Award, Insurance, 2018, 2020
Martindale-Hubbell, AV® Peer Review Rating

Credentials

Education

Litigation Management Institute at Columbia University Law School, CLMP, 2011
Albany Law School, JD, 1994
Cornell University, BS, 1991

Bar Admissions

Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
New Jersey
New York

Court Admissions

US Supreme Court
US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
US Court of International Trade
US District Court for the District of Connecticut
US District Court for the Middle District of Florida
US District Court for the Northern District of Florida
US District Court for the Southern District of Florida
US District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
US District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
US District Court for the District of New Jersey
US District Court for the Eastern District of New York
US District Court for the Northern District of New York
US District Court for the Southern District of New York
US District Court for the Western District of New York

Thought Leadership

Presentations

Co-Presenter, "Ethical Claim Handling and Avoiding Claims of Bad Faith," CLM's Claims College, School of Professional Lines - Level 3, Virtual Event, September 8, 2022

"Working Effectively with Brokers During the Claims Process," CLM's 2020 and 2021 Claims College, Virtual Event, 2020 – 2021
"Sloan Program Alumni Webinar: Medical Malpractice, System Failures, and Legal Resolution," Cornell University, Webinar, May 31, 2017
Moderator, Broward County Bar Association 2016 Legal Malpractice Summit, October 2016
"Strategic Considerations and Practical Solutions for Managing Employment-Related & Professional Liability Claims," ALFA International's Insurance Law, Labor & Employment, and Professional Liability Practice Groups Seminar, June 2016

In The News

Press Releases

View all of Rory's Insights

Interests

Did you know...

Rory enjoys mentoring fellow attorneys.

Community/Civic Activities

Cornell University, Board and Committee Member; Health Law for Managers, Course instructor and lecturer

Thought Leadership

Presentations

Co-Presenter, "Ethical Claim Handling and Avoiding Claims of Bad Faith," CLM's Claims College, School of Professional Lines - Level 3, Virtual Event, September 8, 2022

"Working Effectively with Brokers During the Claims Process," CLM's 2020 and 2021 Claims College, Virtual Event, 2020 – 2021
"Sloan Program Alumni Webinar: Medical Malpractice, System Failures, and Legal Resolution," Cornell University, Webinar, May 31, 2017
Moderator, Broward County Bar Association 2016 Legal Malpractice Summit, October 2016
"Strategic Considerations and Practical Solutions for Managing Employment-Related & Professional Liability Claims," ALFA International's Insurance Law, Labor & Employment, and Professional Liability Practice Groups Seminar, June 2016