Eric Lawton

Eric Lawton represents businesses and individuals in the resolution of complex civil litigation, with an emphasis on the representation of policyholders in insurance disputes. A seasoned advocate with over 35 years of experience, he has obtained litigation victories and successful settlements in a broad range of matters, including insurance coverage issues of bad faith, unfair business practices, duties to defend, indemnify and/or pay benefits, in matters involving a wide variety of coverage types, claims, and industries. These include policy types such as commercial general liability (CGL), crime and fidelity, directors and officers liability, employment practices liability, professional liability, insurance broker liability, property and business interruption losses and workers compensation insurance. He provides advice and strategies that identify coverage opportunities, protect against unnecessary losses, and secure revenue from insurance policies through litigation and alternative means. He also represents clients in matters ranging from policy audits to risk assessments to litigation for coverage recoveries to complex resolution options that include strategic settlements and other options, as well as business litigation including contract disputes and business fraud, unfair business practices and unfair competition. Mr. Lawton’s practice has an emphasis on representation of employers in disputes with workers compensation insurers involving classification codes, independent contractors, payroll audits and violations of law in the manner of assessing premiums. He also litigates issues regarding deficient claims handling and improper reserving under a policy of workers' compensation insurance which have a substantial impact on an employer's premiums and insurability. He has helped California employers involved in such disputes save millions of dollars in workers' compensation insurance premiums and recover millions of dollars in damages.