Get in touch
Get in touch with Denise to discuss your claim
Email Denise
If an insurer has declined your claim, avoided your policy or failed to pay the amount you think your business is owed, contact Denise using the details below.
denise.eastlake@indemnity.lawCall Denise
If an insurer has declined your claim, avoided your policy or failed to pay the amount you think your business is owed, contact Denise using the details below.
+44(0) 203 900 3912 or +44(0) 770 265 0050About Denise
A former advisor to leading insurers and the London Market, Denise has over 17 years’ experience advising on the resolution of complex property damage, business interruption, construction, products and public liability coverage disputes. She has advised both on coverage under these policies and has often acted for the policyholder in pursuing actions to recover the clients’ outlay or to defend the policyholder against third party claims. Denise has acted on a number of disputes arising outside the jurisdiction and has extensive experience of mediations and other forms of alternative dispute resolution.
Denise has also developed a specialty in helping corporate policyholders face the legal challenges arising from climate change and has written and spoken widely on this subject. Denise drafted the wording for a climate-related liability policy for The Chancery Lane Project, a project shortlisted in the ‘Innovative Lawyers’ category at the FT Innovative Lawyers in Sustainability & ESG Awards Europe 2024.
Prior to joining Indemnity, Denise was a Legal Director at Kennedys and a Senior Associate at DAC Beachcroft.
Experience
Denise’s Expertise & Achievements
Public Liability/Casualty Coverage Disputes:
Successfully defended a policyholder in a third-party negligence action following a fire at a high value Hampsted property and recovering all legal costs incurred (Hiscox Insurance Co. Ltd v Quendon Interiors Ltd (1) Mr Ismail Oral (t/a Precious Marble)(2) TP&N Electrical Contractors Ltd [2018]).
Advised lead insurers on coverage following mass tort litigation commenced in the USA (as well as in at least 16 other jurisdictions) against Philips following the worldwide recall of certain respiratory devices and ventilators. This involved coordinating the coverage advice with counsel in both the US, The Netherlands, Israel and Australia. The insurance market agreed settlement under the insurance policies with Philips for €540 million (all information publicly available).
Property Insurance & Business Interruption Insurance Disputes:
Advised on a number of co-insurance and joint names insurance policies in construction and renewable energy contracts.
Advised on excluded damage under an all risks construction contract.
Advised on the application of an average clause following a severe UK weather event.
Advised on policy exclusions following an oil leak from a domestic oil tank at a substantial listed property.
Advised on the declinature of cover for fire damage following alleged fraud.
Advised on the scope of business interruption cover during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Product Liability Coverage Disputes:
Provided coverage advice in relation to a number of claims under an auto recall policy.
Advised on policy wording for a contaminated products recall policy.
Subrogated Recovery Actions:
Secured a recovery of both insurers’ outlay, as well as significant uninsured losses for the policyholder, further to extensive damage to electrical equipment at a wind turbine sub-station.
Secured a recovery of both insurers’, policyholder’s and tenants’ losses further to a fire at an apartment building following the installation of a wood-burning stove.
Secured a recovery of insurers’ and policyholder’s losses further to the defective construction of 6 apartment buildings.
