Chasson

This action for declaratory relief was commenced by Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company (“Fireman’s”) seeking a declaration of its obligations under a policy of automobile liability insurance issued to defendant Ilia Chasson (“Chasson”) on an automobile owned by him. The insured vehicle was involved in an accident in which Chasson’s passengers, defendants Schneiderman, Rubin and Ostrofsky, were injured. Each of the passengers filed his own independent personal injury action against Chasson and his alleged employers Gold, Miller, Thompson and Vanderstein, copartners doing business as The Normandie Club. The Normandie Club conducted a poker parlor in the City of Gardena and it was alleged in the personal injury actions that at the time of the accident Chasson was an employee of the club and acting within the course and scope of his employment. The Normandie Club and the copartners (hereinafter collectively designated “The Normandie Club”) were also named as defendants in the declaratory relief action because of their claim that they are entitled to the extended coverage provisions of the Chasson insurance policy should Chasson be found to be acting in his capacity as their employee at…