A Rhode Island District Court is hearing a suit that could challenge the potential expansion of the state's statute dealing with an insurer's inspection immunity.
The action arose out of a nightclub fire that occurred on Feb. 20, 2003, during a Great White show at The Station in West Warwick. Pyrotechnics set off as part of the band's act ignited flammable soundproofing foam behind the stage, resulting in the deaths of 100 people, with another 200 suffering injuries.
Rhode Island law immunizes insurance companies from claims relating to inspections conducted in connection with the issuance of insurance policies. Essex Insurance, the defendant in the suit, issued a policy of general liability insurance to the owners of The Station. The plaintiffs alleged that Essex negligently conducted an inspection before issuing a commercial policy to the nightclub.
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