What does the insurance company say?
Harco National Insurance Company, which covers Baldoni’s and his business’s liability, has filed a federal lawsuit saying it shouldn’t have to pay for Lively’s claims.Harco’s complaint, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, is mostly about timing and disclosure. The company says that two insurance policies, one issued in July 2023 and the other in July 2024, came after Lively and others had already complained about harassment during the early stages of making It Ends With Us. Harco says these problems started in May 2023, which is outside the coverage window, as per a report by Deadline.
Harco also points to a warranty letter that was sent with Wayfarer’s application for the 2023 policy. The studio told the insurance company in it that it didn’t know of any acts, facts, or circumstances that could lead to a claim. Harco says this is a big problem because the warranty language clearly says that coverage is not available if the person knew about it but didn’t tell anyone.
How does this relate to Blake Lively’s case?
Last year, Blake Lively sued Baldoni and others, saying they harassed her and retaliated against her on set. The movie came out in August 2024 and made $351 million around the world. But Lively’s claims have hurt the film’s legacy a lot.
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Justin Baldoni filed a countersuit against her, claiming defamation and extortion. A judge threw out his case against The New York Times, which had reported on the issue, but the rest of the legal battle is still going on. The trial is set for March 2026.
What’s going to happen next in this high-stakes legal drama?
Harco wants the court to say that it is not responsible for any legal problems that come up because of Lively’s claims. That includes any possible damages, settlements, or court costs. Baldoni, Wayfarer CEO Jamey Heath, co-founder Steve Sarowitz, and It Ends With Us Movie LLC are all defendants in the insurance case.
There are now two lawsuits going on at the same time, one civil and one about insurance coverage. This raises the stakes for everyone involved. The legal battle is more than just about famous people and the movie business; it shows how important it is to word, time, and disclose policies when claims come up, as per a report by Deadline.
FAQs
Why is the insurance company suing Justin Baldoni?
Harco claims Baldoni’s team failed to disclose previous complaints before purchasing insurance.
When will Blake Lively’s lawsuit go to trial?
The lawsuit is scheduled to go to trial in March 2026 in New York.
