Tag: Insurance
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Insurance Expert’s Testimony on Industry-Accepted Claims Practices Admitted
This case arises from a claim made by Richard Bernier under the underinsured motorist (“UIM”) coverage provided in his State Farm policy. Bernier was involved in a November 18, 2020 auto accident. He settled the underlying claim for the other driver’s limits of coverage and then sought the maximum available UIM coverage under his own…
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Insurance Expert is Not Allowed to Opine on Structural Design
Plaintiffs, Michael and Karen Green claimed that they had sustained loss as a result of hail and wind. Defendant Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company issued them a homeowner’s policy but when Plaintiffs filed a claim for loss under the policy, it gave rise to this dispute because Nationwide apparently failed to reimburse all covered losses under…
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Appraisal and Valuation Expert is Qualified to Testify about the Value of the Porsche
Joseph Falasco bought a non-functioning 1974 Porsche 911S for $10,000 and put a significant amount of time and money into restoring it, including the installation of a new engine and transmission. Falasco later filed a claim regarding the non-collision fire that destroyed Plaintiff’s 1974 Porsche 911S (the “1974 Porsche”) and ended up suing USAA for…
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Insurance Expert Allowed to Testify Regarding Industry Customs and Practices based on Experience
Plaintiff Jose Verdecia sustained injuries after falling through the ceiling of his home. He claims these injuries and other damages resulted from a misrepresentation by State Farm’s adjuster, Marvin Johnson, who allegedly instructed him to inspect the attic for damage, implying that his claim would be denied otherwise. To support his case, Plaintiff retained Earl…
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Insurance Law Expert Witness’ Testimony Does Not Survive the Rule 37 Challenge
A fire took place overnight at Tiffany Keen and Trevor Wogrin’s newly-purchased residence at 45100 County Road 1 in Parker (the “Home”), on June 5-6, 2022 (the “Fire”), causing damage. The Home was insured by a homeowner’s insurance policy issued by Allstate (the “Policy”). The Insureds submitted a claim to Allstate on June 6, 2022…
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Law And Legal Expert Witness Improperly Speculates about the Defendant’s Motivation
This is an insurance bad faith case stemming from Westfield’s handling of a first-party property insurance claim following a fire. Plaintiffs JME Investments, LLC (“JME”) and Hiway Bar, LLC (“Hiway Bar”) (together, “Plaintiffs”) filed claims after a kitchen fire damaged their property on July 12, 2020. The fire burned a building owned by JME. Constructed…
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Risk Management Expert Witness’ Testimony on Economic Injury Conditionally Admitted
In June 2008, USA experienced the collapse of the housing market and the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. For homeowners who put down less than 20% for the purchase of their homes, most were required to purchase private mortgage insurance to protect their lenders in the event of default. Many of those private…
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Court Refused to Exclude Insurance Expert Witness’ Opinions on Insurance Availability
This case stems from a dispute over a provision of a ground lease between Stewart Development, LLC and 111 Veterans Boulevard, LLC. Stewart owned Heritage Plaza, a Class A office building in Metairie, Louisiana but leases the land on which it sits pursuant to a ground lease. 111 Veterans took over this ground lease in…
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Insurance Expert Witness’ Testimony Limited Because it is Needlessly Cumulative
This lawsuit stems from claims of breach of contract and statutory and common-law bad faith. It all started when Plaintiff, Paul Schulz, was injured when his motorcycle struck an oil spill in the roadway, causing the front tire to slide out and the motorcycle to overturn. Shortly thereafter, Schulz filed a claim with his insurer,…
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Insurance Expert Witness’ Testimony Limited Because it Consists of the Interpretation of Policy Language
Plaintiff American Empire Surplus Lines Insurance Company (“AESLIC” or “Plaintiff”) issued to J.R. a commercial excess liability insurance policy, which included a premium charge to be computed as a percentage of J.R.’s gross receipts during the policy period. Plaintiff assigned an advanced premium to the Policy based on J.R.’s estimate of its gross receipts during the…
