Travelers Sues Selective Over Goldman Sachs Coverage
The insurer seeks a court declaration to force Selective to cover defense costs in a construction worker injury lawsuit.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Remote Work
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Travelers has filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of New York to compel Selective Insurance Company of America to provide defense and indemnification for Goldman Sachs. The dispute follows a construction worker's fall at the Goldman Sachs headquarters, which led to multiple coverage denials from Selective.
Why it matters
Travelers alleges that Selective issued three denials for coverage without citing specific policy language or contract provisions. The outcome of this case will determine which insurer is responsible for the mounting defense costs associated with the underlying negligence and labor law claims.
The underlying legal conflict stems from a construction accident involving a worker fall on the 4th and 5th floors of the Goldman Sachs headquarters. The lawsuit seeks reimbursement for defense costs already paid by Travelers throughout the ongoing litigation.
The players
Travelers
This insurance company is currently seeking a declaratory judgment to enforce coverage obligations.
Selective Insurance Company of America
This insurer has repeatedly denied coverage requests regarding the construction injury incident.
Goldman Sachs
This financial institution is the entity named as the site of the workplace accident and the party seeking defense.
ARI Products
This New Jersey-based subcontractor was named in a third-party complaint regarding the accident.
The details
The legal battle centers on a 2023 injury incident at 200 West Street in Manhattan that prompted a third-party complaint against New Jersey subcontractor ARI Products. Travelers formally requested that Selective assume the defense of Goldman Sachs entities in November 2024, but Selective rejected the request on three separate occasions.
Timeline
May 27, 2023: A construction worker fell at the Goldman Sachs headquarters.
November 2024: Travelers requested that Selective assume defense of Goldman Sachs.
May 13, 2025: Selective issued the first of three coverage denials.
February 2026: Goldman Sachs filed a third-party complaint against ARI Products.
October 20, 2026: Travelers filed the lawsuit in federal court.
Market Landscape
This case highlights the complex interplay of liability and insurance obligations within major commercial construction projects under New York Labor Law. The dispute illustrates the competitive tension between insurers over who must bear the financial burden of high-stakes litigation costs.
For local businesses and property owners in New York City, this case serves as a reminder to ensure contractual insurance requirements are strictly defined. Ambiguity in policy language can result in significant unplanned legal expenses when construction projects involve multiple parties.
The takeaway
Disputes over additional insured status often arise when contract language between subcontractors and general contractors is not explicitly clarified. Businesses should perform regular audits of their vendor agreements to prevent gaps in coverage during construction projects.
Further reading
Learn more about the ongoing legal environment in the New York City Remote Work section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Insurance Business.
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