IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT DIVISION THREE HARTFORD ACCIDENT & INDEMNITY COMPANY, Plaintiff and Appellant, v. PACIFIC GAS & ELECTRIC COMPANY, Defendant and Respondent. By a letter to Hartford dated January 20, 2006, PG&E acknowledged receipt of Hartford's claim and informed Hartford that Nash had settled her lawsuit with PG&E. Once Nash settled her action and agreed to release her rights against PG&E, Hartford had no rights against PG&E. Consequently, although PG&E might have contractual or equitable indemnity rights against Nash, PG&E could not escape liability for Hartford's claim for reimbursement. As a matter of law, PG&E had no duty to notify and/or obtain the consent of plaintiff Hartford Accident & Indemnity Company ('Hartford') to the pending settlement. "

Download full case here.