Jason J. Liss is the Managing Shareholder of Fabian, Sklar, King & Liss, P.C., where he has built a nationally respected property insurance claims litigation practice focused exclusively on representing policyholders in complex property insurance disputes. He represents clients throughout Michigan, Ohio and pro hace vice in select, large value matters across the country. Under his leadership, the firm focuses exclusively on first-party property insurance matters, including large damage disputes arising from fire, explosion, water, storm, flood, and the resulting business interruption and agent negligence claims.
Biography - Property Insurance Claims Attorney serving Michigan, Ohio & Selective Nationwide Matters
Jason earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan in 1989 and his J.D. from Wayne State University Law School in 1993.
Throughout his entire career, Jason has worked tirelessly to secure millions of dollars from insurance companies for large commercial property owners and policyholders whose insurance companies have denied, delayed, or undervalued his client’s valid claims. As a young lawyer, he recognized his calling to play a role in changing the legal landscape for the benefit of property owners. Public adjusters, corporate and out-of-state attorneys regularly refer their clients to Jason to maximize recovery in complex property insurance disputes, seeking his expertise to serve as lead counsel in high-value insurance matters across the United States.
Jason combines deep legal knowledge and significant technical expertise, along with a cultivated nationwide network of experts which he utilizes to establish his clients’ damages. He is passionate about helping put his client’s lives and businesses back together after devastating property loss.
For over 30 years, Jason has guided policyholders through the entire insurance claims process, beginning with Examinations Under Oath (EUOs) and continuing through all stages of litigation, including trial and appellate practice. His entire caseload is comprised of property insurance cases involving: Fire damage claims, Explosion losses, Flood and storm-related damage, Water intrusion and catastrophic water loss, Business income and extra expense, along with additional living expenses (ALE) and rental income.
Trial & Appellate Experience
Jason has extensive experience preparing and trying jury cases in complex first-party property insurance disputes, along with significant appellate advocacy before the Michigan Court of Appeals, the Michigan Supreme Court, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Through his litigation and appellate work, Jason and his partners, have shaped Michigan’s property insurance law to significantly strengthen policyholder rights.
Industry Leadership & Recognition
Jason has played a significant role in shaping Michigan’s property insurance law and legislative policy. His professional service includes serving as Past Chairperson of the Insurance & Indemnity Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan, a current Hearing Panelist for the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board, and a current member of the State Bar of Michigan Character and Fitness Committee.
He is also an active member of the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA), the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI), the Michigan Association for Justice (MAJ), and the Oakland County Bar Association (OCBA). Jason formerly held certification as a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) through NAFI and served as an alternate member of the NFPA Technical Committee on Fire Investigator Professional Qualifications, which governs NFPA 1033: Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigators.
Many of Jason’s referrals come from longstanding relationships with experts, respected counsel, and public adjusters who have seen firsthand the level of detail with which he prepares his clients’ cases. His peers consistently recognize him for his legal skill and ethical commitment. Jason holds an AV Preeminent Rating (5.0/5.0) from Martindale-Hubbell, reflecting the highest level of peer recognition for legal ability and ethics, and has been recognized in Michigan Super Lawyers (2010–present), Best Lawyers in America (2015–present), and DBusiness Top Lawyers (2017–present).
Representative Property Insurance Claims Appellate & Trial Decisions
• Proto Gage, Inc. v. Federal Insurance Co. (E.D. Mich. 2023)
Summary judgment for the policyholder; the court held that factual disputes over the cause of business-income loss must be resolved by an appraisal panel.
• Haddock v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. (E.D. Mich. 2022)
Summary judgment for the insured; causation disputes over the amount of loss were determined to be questions of fact appropriate for appraisal.
• Shina v. State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. (E.D. Mich. 2022)
Appraisal compelled; the court ruled that “scope of loss” is a factual determination for appraisal, not a coverage issue.
• Midtown Investment Group v. Massachusetts Bay Ins. Co. (E.D. Mich. 2021)
The court found the defective-workmanship exclusion did not bar the insured’s ensuing interior water-damage claim.
• Scottsdale Ins. Co. v. Altman Management Co. (6th Cir. 2021)
The Sixth Circuit affirmed that insurer-caused delay may extend the period of restoration for a business-income claim.
• Batton-Jajuga v. Farm Bureau Gen. Ins. Co. (Mich. Ct. App. 2018, Published)
The court held that purchasing a replacement home on land contract satisfies policy requirements for replacement-cost benefits.
• Cincinnati Ins. Co. v. Kaeding (Mich. Ct. App. 2017)
The court affirmed that the insured’s water loss was not barred by the long-term leakage exclusion.
• Hani & Ramiz, Inc. v. North Pointe Ins. Co. (Mich. Ct. App. 2013)
The court found that a partial roof collapse was not excluded for decay, deterioration, latent defects, or self-damage.
• Miller v. Chapman Contracting (Mich. Supreme Ct. 2007)
Michigan Supreme Court decision recognizing critical issues related to contractor performance and insurance obligations.
• Force v. Ameritech Corp., Inc. (6th Cir. 2007)
Sixth Circuit decision involving key issues in liability and loss recovery.
• Predeteanu v. Auto-Owners Ins. Co. (Mich. Ct. App. 2006)
Court of Appeals decision addressing coverage disputes arising from property loss.
• Transamerica Construction Co. v. Kulyk (Mich. Ct. App. 2000)
Court of Appeals decision resolving key issues relating to insurance coverage and contractor liability.
Property Insurance Claims Litigation Publications
Jason is a recognized authority on insurance coverage litigation and property loss law. His publications and presentations include:
• “Purchase of a Dwelling by Land Contract Entitles Insureds to ‘Replacement Cost’ Benefits,” The Journal of Insurance and Indemnity Law, Vol. 11, No. 1 (January 2018)
• “Mortgagee’s Second Bite at a Claim for Property Loss,” Co-author, DS News, Vol. 16, No. 1 (January 2018)
• “Property Insurance 101: Anti-Concurrent Causation – Not a Foregone Conclusion,” The Journal of Insurance and Indemnity Law, Vol. 10, No. 2 (April 2017)
• “The Co-Insurance Clause: Don’t Let Your Policy Limits Fool You,” The Journal of Insurance and Indemnity Law, Vol. 10, No. 1 (January 2017)
• “Ordinary and Standard Loss Payable Clauses in Property Insurance Policies,” The Journal of Insurance and Indemnity Law, Vol. 9, No. 1 (January 2016)
• “Statutory Appraisal Under a Fire Insurance Policy Issued in Michigan,” The Journal of Insurance and Indemnity Law, Vol. 8, No. 3 (July 2015)
• “Explosion & Fire Cases: Death, Injury or Property Losses,” presented at the MAJ Premises Liability Seminar (April 2012)
• “NFPA 1033: 13 Things You Need to Know,” Co-author, ISFI Proceedings (2010)
• “The Role of the Attorney in Fire and Explosion Investigations,” Co-author, Proceedings of the 3rd International Symposium on Fire Investigation Science and Technology (2008).
What Clients Say About Jason
Below is a small selection of publicly posted reviews from clients and professionals Jason has represented in complex property insurance matters. See our Results page for more information about some of Jason’s outstanding results.
