Hartford Casualty Insurance Company v. Instagram, LLC

I. BACKGROUND

1 This MDL consolidates hundreds of actions brought on behalf of adolescents and school 2 districts alleging that that several social media companies, including Meta, designed their 3 platforms to foster compulsive use by minors. 4 In February 2023, Meta contacted its general liability insurers, including Hartford, about 5 defense coverage in this case. (Delaware Am. Complaint, Dkt. No. 67-3, ¶ 16.) For months, 6 Hartford denied that it had any duty to defend or indemnify Meta. (California Complaint, Dkt. No. 7 1, ¶¶ 7–8, 50–51.) Hartford backpedaled in June 2023 by acknowledging that it would cover 8 certain of Meta’s cases, which Harford would later identify for Meta. (Id.) Hartford instructed 9 Meta to await further correspondence. (Id. ¶ 51.) 10 On November 1, 2024, Hartford sent its decision letter to Meta. It then coordinated with 11 Sentinel to file a declaratory judgment lawsuit in Delaware superior court (Meta’s state of 12 incorporation) against Meta and Meta’s other general liability insurers Chubb, Old Republic 13 Insurance Company, Starr Indemnity and Liability Company, and Zurich American Insurance 14 Company. Hartford and Sentinel sought declaratory…