A judge Wednesday declined to grant judgment in favor of an insurance company that sued Nickleback and frontman Chad Kroeger, finding there were issues to be tried of whether the company is obligated to pay $13.1 million to the group after its 2015 tour was cut short by the lead singer’s vocal problems.
“I believe there are disputed facts that remain,” Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Stern said of the lawsuit filed by Lloyd’s of London against the Canadian rock band in December 2015.
Lloyd’s is seeking rescission of the parties’ contract because Kroeger allegedly did not disclose he had a pre-existing vocal condition before the policy was finalized.
The suit states that Lloyd’s issued a policy to the band in connection with its “No Fixed Address” tour in 2015 for dates in North America, Australia, Asia and Europe. The group completed the first two legs of the tour, but Kroeger suffered an operable cyst on his vocal cords in June and Nickleback had to cancel its remaining dates, according to the lawsuit.
Nickleback and Kroeger should have disclosed his pre-existing condition that dates back to at least 2012, according to the lawsuit, which also alleges the band is holding back information the company needs to fully investigate the musicians’ claim.
However, defense attorney Patricia Millett said that at the time the policy was signed, Kroeger’s voice showed no sign that he had a cyst.
The band’s hit singles include “Photograph,” “Far Away” and “Rockstar.”
–City News Service